Peru's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday affirmed that the Repsol oil spill in (the sea area near) Lima's Ventanilla district is the worst ecological disaster that the Peruvian capital has experienced in recent times, and the company must immediately compensate for this damage.
"The Repsol oil spill in (the sea of) Ventanilla is the worst ecological disaster that has occurred in Lima in recent times, and has caused serious damage to hundreds of fishing families. Repsol must immediately compensate for this damage," the ministry stated.
In addition, the government agency warned that the ecological disaster has put at risk flora and fauna in two protected natural areas.
"This terrible situation has put at risk flora and fauna in two protected natural areas within more than 18,000 square km, such as the area of the Grupo de Pescadores (Fishermen's Group) Islands of Guano Islands, Islets, and Capes National Reserve System and the Ancon Reserved Zone," it stated.
Oil spill
The oil spill happened on Saturday, January 15, in the sea area near Ventanilla, as a result of the strong waves caused by the eruption of an underwater volcano off Tonga in Oceania.
After meeting Repsol representatives,
Environment Minister Ruben Ramirez pointed out that around 6,000 barrels of oil were spilled, so the Pampilla refinery could receive a fine of up to 30,000 tax units (UIT), which is equivalent to S/138 million (US$35.7 million).
For its part, the
Ministry of Defense (Mindef) —through the Peruvian Navy and the General Directorate of Captaincies and Coast Guards— is deploying a series of actions to deal with the hydrocarbon spill at La Pampilla Port Terminal in Callao region.
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Published: 1/19/2022