Peru declares 'environmental emergency' after oil spill
January 23, 2022
Dead seals, fish and birds have washed up on Peru's shore covered in oil after the spill. A refinery blamed waves caused by the eruption of a volcano in Tonga.
The spill has polluted 2,384 cubic meters of sandImage: Martin Mejia/AP Photo/picture alliance
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Peru grapples with disastrous oil spill after Tonga eruption
A major oil spill off the coast of Peru has reached the nation's shorelines, with the government calling it the biggest "ecological disaster" in recent years. The crisis was caused by waves from a volcanic eruption.
Image: Martin Mejia/AP Photo/picture alliance
Oil spill spells havoc
Crews in Peru have been working to clean up a major oil spill that was sparked by a volcanic eruption in the South Pacific island nation of Tongo. The powerful eruption unleashed tsunami waves that stretched across the Pacific — hitting an oil tanker that was unloading near Peru on January 15.
Image: Martin Mejia/AP Photo/picture alliance
Dead birds on beaches
The extent of damage caused by the oil spill is becoming more visible. Dead birds and fish covered in oil have been washing up on Peru's shorelines. About 6,000 barrels of oil are believed to have spilled in to the sea, greatly damaging the marine ecosystem.
Image: Pilar Olivares/REUTERS
Bathers replaced by workers in safety suits
Fishing activities have been suspended and bathers on the beach have been replaced by workers in white biosafety suits. At least 21 beaches have been affected so far. Repsol, the Spanish company whose tanker sparked the oil spill, is currently responsible for cleanup efforts.
Image: Martin Mejia/AP Photo/picture alliance
An 'enviromental emergency'
Peruvian President Pedro Castillo described the accident as the biggest "ecological disaster" to have affected the nation in recent years. The oil spill has impacted about 174 hectares — equivalent to 270 football fields — of sea, beaches and natural reserves.
Image: Martin Mejia/AP Photo/picture alliance
Fisherman protest as their livelihoods take hit
Besides the fishing industry, tourism has also been majorly impacted by the fallout from the spill. The government estimates that economic losses could total more than $50 million ($56.7 million). Repsol says it is not responsible for the spill, arguing that Peruvian government should have issued a warning about rough seas.
Image: Martin Mejia/AP Photo/picture alliance
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The Peruvian government on Saturday declared a 90-day "environmental emergency" in damaged coastal territories, after an oil spill that saw 6,000 barrels of crude oil pour into the sea.
Peruvian authorities say that this measure will allow for "sustainable management of the affected areas," through "restoration and remediation" work.
Emergency crews in white biosafety suits are using shovels to remove the oily sand, which is then transported to toxic waste dumps.
How did the spill happen?
The oil spill came out of a tanker belonging to the Spanish energy firm Repsol. The incident occurred at the La Pampilla refinery, some 30 kilometers (around 19 miles) north of the Peruvian capital of Lima in the Ventanilla district of the port city of Callao.
Emergency crews in white biosafety suits are currently working to clean up Peru's beachesImage: Martin Mejia/AP Photo/picture alliance
The Italian-flagged "Mare Doricum" tanker was transporting 965,000 barrels of crude oil when it was hit.
Currents spread the oil to distances more than 40 kilometers from the refinery, tarring some 21 beaches, according to Peru's Health Ministry. The ministry recommends avoiding these areas, which it classifies as "unhealthy."
What damage has the spill caused?
The spill has caused the death of marine wildlife and raised concerns around the livelihood of local fishermen and the economic consequences from the loss of tourism.
The spill has caused the death of local birds and other wildlifeImage: Martin Mejia/AP Photo/picture alliance
Repsol said that 2,384 cubic meters (84,190 cubic feet) of sand had been affected by the spill. The company said that it had organized more than 1,350 people for the cleanup efforts, and planned to add another 224.
On Wednesday, Peru demanded that Repsol compensate for the damage caused by the spill.
Peruvian legal authorities said that they were investigating the spill as a potential environmental pollution crime.
Repsol said it was not responsible for the spill as Peruvian maritime authorities did not issue warnings about a possible increase in waves.
