Ecuador: ‘Worst Petroleum Leakage of recent times’ leaves 15 thousand affected

Of these families, at least 2,000 live on the banks of the rivers, which are stained with black and oily water. This is “the worst oil leak we have had in recent times,” the mayor added, noting that there have been three similar disasters in eight years.

Thursday’s disaster in the El Vergel area in Quinindé caused damage to at least five rivers by 32 kilometers.

Families living on the banks of rivers “have no water, have no means to perform their basic agricultural activities. (…) on the coast, buildings are made around the rivers, and the emission of these gases is obviously preventing them from remaining in their homes,” said Moreno.

Last year, “there was a leak of oil caused precisely by a landslide that pressured the pipeline, and this obviously caused the break,” said the mayor of Quinindé.

The National Emergency Operations Committee (COE) announced on Sunday that the Ministry of Environment should declare “environmental emergency” throughout the province and in the Wildlife Refuge of the Emerald River estuary, home of over 250 species.

It also ordered the temporary closure of the beaches of Las Palmas, Camarones and Las Piedras.