Fishermen in Golfito assure that they have seen dead fish floating in the waters near Puerto Jiménez days after the strange bubbles began emanating from the waters of Golfo Dulce, following the earthquakes in the area.

The Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica (Ovsicori) confirmed that it has received the news from the fishermen and is investigating. The bubbles, believed to be released from a crack on the ocean floor from the series of earthquakes to hit the area beginning on March 11. The bubbles are believed to contain Hydrogen sulfide, a natural toxic gas. Experts collected samples of the emanating gas have sent them to a laboratory in Italy for examination.

The first earthquake to hit the southern zone on March 11 registered 6.3 on the Richter Scale, with an epicente near Golfito. María Martínez, a geochemist for the Ovsicori said that samples of the dead fish collected from the waters in Puerto Jiménez have been sent for analysis to the Universidad Nacional. However, Martínez could not confirm the results of the analysis and if the dead fish have any relation with the bubbles and are looking at other possible explanations. Areas fishermen and residents assures that after a major tremor they have seen bubbles appear in the water.

So far no reports of any illnesses from the emanations have been reported to health officials. Although the area residents do not fear the bubbles, saying they are used to them, they do welcome the notice of the experts and their analysis, just to be sure.