Residents in Ecuador's Amazon , Outraged After Oil Spill , in Environmental Reserve.
On January 28, heavy rains in Ecuador's east caused a boulder to fall on a pipeline resulting in a massive oil spill.
On January 28, heavy rains in Ecuador's east caused a boulder to fall on a pipeline resulting in a massive oil spill.
Al Jazeera reports that 6,300 barrels of oil leaked into the Cayambe Coca nature reserve and the Coca River.
.
The Coca River is one of the largest rivers in the Ecuadorian Amazon and a vital source for many nearby communities.
.
Al Jazeera reports that residents of Puerto Madero have expressed outrage at the spill, which has left oil all along the banks of the river.
.
Al Jazeera reports that residents of Puerto Madero have expressed outrage at the spill, which has left oil all along the banks of the river.
.
Bolivia Buenano, a merchant from the area about 75 miles from the spill said, , “This damage is not for a month, two months… it will be 20 years before things return to normal.".
Buenano reportedly joined a clean-up crew organized by OCP, the oil transport company responsible for the leak.
.
Al Jazeera reports that OCP has said that over 84% of the spilled crude has already been recovered.
.
In 2020, another major spill occurred after a mudslide damaged pipelines, dumping approximately 15,000 barrels of oil into Amazon basin rivers.
.
In 2020, another major spill occurred after a mudslide damaged pipelines, dumping approximately 15,000 barrels of oil into Amazon basin rivers.
.
Al Jazeera reports that crude petroleum is the biggest export product of Ecuador.
.
In 2021, Ecuador extracted, 494,000 barrels per day, from January to November.
Ecuador's environmental ministry said that the recent spill affected the 996,000-acre Cayambe Coca Reserve, which is home to a large number of animals and plants.
.
Ecuador's environmental ministry said that the recent spill affected the 996,000-acre Cayambe Coca Reserve, which is home to a large number of animals and plants.
