Peru declares environmental emergency after oil spill

Peru declared an environmental emergency after a major oil spill by Petroperu impacted northern coastal beaches. The spill has caused significant damage to wildlife and local communities.

Peru's government has declared an environmental emergency following a crude oil spill from state-owned Petroperu that affected beaches along the northern coast during pre-shipment operations at the Talara refinery on December 21.

Minister of Environment Juan Carlos Castro announced the emergency declaration, which covers seven beaches in the provinces of Talara and Lobitos, and includes a 90-day cleanup plan. "We declare an environmental emergency in the areas covering the geographical scope of seven beaches in the provinces of Talara and Lobitos... during which all affected areas by the hydrocarbon spill will need to be remedied and attended to," Castro stated.

The spill, which has impacted at least 10,000 square meters of sea and shoreline, has caused significant harm to local wildlife, including crabs and baby turtles, while fishermen in the region report being unable to work due to contamination. Lobitos Mayor Ricardo Bancayan Eche expressed concern about the economic impact, saying, "We will have a lack of tourism in Lobitos due to this contamination, so we ask the responsible authorities to take action."

Although Petroperu has not disclosed the exact volume of oil spilled, the government is focused on mitigating the environmental damage and restoring the affected areas. The emergency declaration aims to ensure that the cleanup process is expedited and that the region's environmental and economic recovery is prioritized.