- Northern Peru Oil Spill Affects 10,000 Square Meters of Seawater, Beaches.
- Government Launches 90-Day Environmental Emergency in Response to Oil Spill.
- Clean-Up Operations Underway as Peru Faces Major Oil Spill Crisis.
Peru’s government has declared a 90-day environmental emergency in a northern coastal region after an oil spill polluted the Pacific Ocean. The spill occurred during pre-shipment manoeuvres at a refinery terminal, contaminating seawater and affecting nearby beaches and wildlife, reports AJOT.
Extent of the Spill
Preliminary reports from environmental authorities estimate that the spill has contaminated about 10,000 square meters of seawater. At least seven beaches have been affected, and local ecosystems, including coastal plants and animals such as crabs, have been significantly damaged.
Government Response
The declaration of environmental emergency aims to ensure the sustainable management of the affected area. According to the Ministry of Environment, the objective of the emergency is to ensure that the area is sustainably managed and recovery and remediation works are undertaken to minimize environmental contamination.
Clean-Up Operations
Efforts to clean up the spill began immediately, involving personnel, boats, and drones for monitoring and prevention of further damage. Petroperu stated, “It maintains cleaning personnel, boats, and drones in the affected area to carry out preventive monitoring to guarantee the early detection of any eventuality.” Authorities have also coordinated with local communities to maintain economic and tourist activities where possible.
Impact on Local Communities
Fishermen in the region report being unable to work due to the spill, which has disrupted their livelihoods. Local fisherman Martin Pasos shared his frustration, saying, “We have not been able to go out for six days now. It is chaos, what happened in Lobitos. So far, we have not had any response from the oil company.” Local authorities and residents have called for greater accountability and more decisive action to address the crisis.
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Source: AJOT
