20,000 fish die as Thames Water poisons river with industrial cleaner

Thames Water admitted killing an estimated 20,000 fish in a London river.

The Environment Agency said it had removed thousands of dead fish from the Wandle, near Wandsworth, after large quantities of industrial cleaner were accidentally released into the river as part of a routine cleaning operation on Monday afternoon.

Onlookers described the scene as “absolute hell”, with thousands of fish, birds and other wildlife dying instantly.

Today the Environment Agency said it could take several years to restore the river which runs from Croydon, through Merton, Colliers Wood and Earlsfield to join the Thames west of Wandsworth Bridge. Mike Denbigh of the agency said:

“This very serious incident is being vigorously investigated by the Environment Agency.”