Ecuador faces a major environmental crisis due to an oil spill from a ruptured pipeline, affecting drinking water supplies for approximately 500,000 residents. An emergency declaration has been made, with ongoing recovery efforts by Petroecuador as local wildlife and fishing communities are endangered.
Ecuador is confronting a severe environmental crisis as an oil slick spreads, severely impacting local water supplies. The incident originated from a landslide that ruptured a major pipeline, discharging thousands of barrels of oil into nearby rivers. As of Tuesday, multiple waterways, including the Esmeraldas River, have been contaminated, leaving approximately 500,000 residents without accessible potable water, according to Esmeraldas mayor Vicko Villacis.
The government has issued a declaration of environmental emergency in the province, which is home to a wildlife refuge that supports over 250 species of animals. State-owned Petroecuador, which oversees the affected pipeline, is deploying tanker trucks to recover spilled oil, although an official quantity has not yet been verified. Mayor Villacis has estimated the spill to be around 200,000 barrels.
In a bid to alleviate the water crisis, Petroecuador announced the arrival of three ships to deliver drinking water to affected areas in Esmeraldas. Ecuador, a significant oil-producing nation, generated roughly 475,000 barrels of oil per day in 2024, making the oil sector a critical component of its economy. The ruptured pipeline is part of the Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline System (SOTE), which operates along a 500-kilometer route from the Amazon to the Pacific coast.
Reports from Rocafuerte, a fishing community within Esmeraldas, reveal that local boats and fishing nets have become saturated with oil, raising concerns about the future of fishing in the area. Resident Luis Cabezas expressed alarm, stating, “If it continues like this, we won’t be able to fish anymore.”
Ecuador is currently dealing with a significant oil spill crisis that has contaminated multiple rivers and left hundreds of thousands without clean drinking water. The government has declared an environmental emergency as the situation escalates, prompting emergency measures and recovery efforts by Petroecuador. The long-term impact on local fishing communities and wildlife remains a critical concern as authorities strive to manage the fallout from this environmental disaster.
Original Source: www.france24.com
