Tong Volcano | 21 beaches polluted by oil spill in Peru linked to the eruption

Tong Volcano | 21 beaches polluted by oil spill in Peru linked to the eruption

Peru declared an environmental emergency after surging waves caused by the eruption of an underwater volcano near Tonga caused an oil spill at a refinery in its Pacific coast







Associated Press









January 21, 2022 / 03:12 PM IST





Peru declared an environmental emergency on January 20 after announcing that 21 beaches on the Pacific coast were contaminated by an oil spill at a refinery run by Spain-based Repsol, following surging waves caused by the eruption of an underwater volcano near Tonga. (Image: AP)





President Pedro Castillo said a committee will be formed to propose ways of dealing with the crisis, in keeping with national policies aimed at protecting the environment. (Image: AP)





Prime Minister Mirtha Vásquez said Repsol has promised to deliver a cleaning schedule, to incorporate local fishermen in the cleanup on beaches and to deliver food baskets to affected families. (Image: AP)





Vásquez said the United Nations will provide a team of experts to help Peru deal with the oil spill. People are barred for now from going to the 21 polluted beaches because of health concerns. (Image: AP)