Hundreds of dead pigs exhumed from graves and sold as pork in Vietnam
Police in Khanh Hoa Province in central Vietnam on Dec. 25 accused a man and six others with exhuming hundreds of dead pigs infected with African swine fever and selling the meat illegally.
Authorities say Dang Hoang Dinh hired a team of workers to dig up pigs that had been previously culled and buried to contain the disease.
The carcasses were transported to a vacant lot where the group allegedly butchered, cleaned and froze the meat for resale. Investigators warned the operation posed a direct threat to public health and could spread dangerous pathogens if consumed.
A surprise inspection in the early hours of Nov. 30 revealed 304 pigs either dead or severely ill at the site, with 146 already slaughtered, 33 still alive but weak. Police also found more than five tonnes of pork that had been processed and sold for over VND500 million (US$19,000). Tests later showed 295 out of 304 samples were positive for the African swine fever virus.
Officials said the scheme not only violated food-safety laws but also risked undermining the livestock industry, causing environmental contamination, and sparking public outrage. The case has been opened for further investigation.
By Bui Toan – VnExpress.net – December 25, 2025