High-resolution satellite images obtained by Al Jazeera’s Open Source Unit have revealed a widespread outbreak of green pollutants covering large areas of Lake Nubia in northern Sudan.
Visual analysis indicates a phenomenon consistent with severe environmental contamination, commonly known as an “algal bloom.” This type of pollution typically results from unusual accumulations of chemical or agricultural runoff. These findings align with field reports and official acknowledgments confirming mass fish deaths.
A time-series comparison of satellite images captured by the European Sentinel satellite—one set taken before the pollution event in March 2026 and another in April 2026—shows a rapid and significant expansion of contamination across the lake within a short period.
The satellite data also corresponds with videos recorded by activists, showing noticeable changes in water color and dead fish floating on the surface. These observations were officially confirmed by authorities in the Northern State on April 18, 2026.
At the peak of the algal bloom, the Director of Fisheries and Aquatic Life, Ali Awad Madani, acknowledged the occurrence of an environmental disaster that led to fish deaths in the Khor Musa Pasha area of Lake Nubia.
