Dumas (Gujarat), Sept 22 : Thousands of fish have been found dead along the coast in Gujarat State.

Initial investigation suggests an oil spill as the possible cause.

Those residing along the Dumas Beach, which is about 30 kilometers from Surat City, have expressed alarm over the incident.

Officials, who conducted a probe, said the dead fish were sticky, which suggested they had been covered by oil and chemicals.

"Fish in large number have been found dead. It seems some poisonous substance in the water might have led to it. It could also be due to some chemicals mixed with sea water," said S. Ansari, conservator of forest in south Gujarat.

Villagers, who depend on fishing for their earning, have complained about loss of income.

"We do our earning selling fish. For quite sometime the fishes have been dying due to the poisonous water. We are bearing losses as we are dependent on it," said Mayanbhui, a fisherman.

The dead fish have been sent to laboratory to arrive at the exact cause of their death. (With inputs from ANI)