Ecuador faces oil spill that contaminates a river in the Amazon

Orellana from Ecuador

Serious environmental damage in Ecuador affects the Napo River in the province of Orellana, after an oil spill reached the powerful tributary of the AmazonThe state-owned company Petroecuador acknowledged the oil leak after a pipeline broke in the area called Block 16 in that Amazon region. The company from the South American country linked the serious spill to the rains that would have caused the oil, initially contained by barriers, to flow towards the river that also crosses the territories of Brazil, Colombia and Peru.

Petroecuador stated this Thursday through a statement that on June 26 “There was heavy rainfall in the area, which caused a part of the hydrocarbon contained in the barriers to be dragged into the Napo River”The state company added in the public statement that “additional barriers are currently being placed to prevent traces of hydrocarbons from advancing into rivers and thus minimize the impacts.”

The Ecuadorian company did not specify the amount of oil spilled, nor how much of the crude oil reached the Amazon tributary.. The company indicated that when the environmental damage occurred, they maintained “direct communication with the affected communities” in the province of Orellana. The statement highlights that the nearby population is “part of the first response teams in response to this contingency, acting as guides and motorcyclists.

The objective is to achieve, with preventive barriers, that “the water bodies surrounding the Napo River” are protected and avoid an ecological disaster in tributaries that run through several countries.. The Telegraph Petroecuador states that members of the emergency response team have been mobilized to deal with the contingency. The company also indicates that they have support staff who are assisting with the complex situation from the city of Quito.