Ecuadoran Beach Blighted by 1,200 Barrel Crude Oil Spill

An incident occurred at an oil terminal in northwest Ecuador near the Colombian border, resulting in the release of approximately 1,200 barrels of crude oil onto a popular tourist beach. This unfortunate event took place on Wednesday and has caused significant environmental damage in the area.

According to Environment Minister Jose Antonio Davalos, the oil spill resulted in a large oil slick that spread out over a distance of four kilometers from the Balao terminal, reaching Las Palmas beach. The impact of the spill has affected marine life, with crabs and fish being found covered in oil. It is likely that birds have also been affected.

Petroecuador, the state-owned company that owns the terminal, has committed to compensating affected fishermen who have been negatively impacted by the spill. Efforts to contain and clean up the spill have been initiated, and the leak has been successfully stopped, as confirmed by Petroecuador official Rafael Armendariz.

To prevent further contamination, access to the beach has been restricted to visitors until the cleanup process is complete. Petroecuador is actively engaged in a large-scale cleanup operation, targeting both the sand and surrounding water in the province of Esmeraldas.

The cause of the oil leak is still under investigation. Petroecuador General Manager Ramon Correa stated that all possibilities are being considered, including mechanical damage, operational issues, negligence, or even sabotage.

Ecuador heavily relies on oil as a top export, generating significant revenue of approximately $13 billion per year.

© 2023 AFP

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