Environmental catastrophe feared as ‘toxin’ kills thousands of fish in European river

‘It is likely that enormous amounts of chemical waste have been dumped into the river,’ says Polish PM

Fish lie dead on the western bank of the River Oder (Getty Images)

Tonnes of fish have died in the River Oder, which runs between Poland and Germany, in an apparent major environmental disaster.

The animals have been dying since late July during a time of scorching temperatures and drought across Europe.

But authorities in both countries believe a toxic substance might be to blame, although they have yet to identify it.