Environmental tragedy in Peru: a new oil spill in the Pastaza River leaves 3 indigenous communities without water

A new environmental disaster among the Peruvian rivers and few people talk about it. Just a few days ago, on Pastaza rivera Iquitosin Peru on the border with Ecuador, citizens of the surrounding indigenous communities first reported that the basin was experiencing an oil spill of uncertain origin.

This was then confirmed by the state company itself, Petroperú, which confirmed a break in the northern Peruvian oil pipeline (ONP), precisely at kilometer 11 of the northern branch, in the district of Pastaza, province of Datem del Marañón, in the Loreto region.

10 years since the terrible forgotten environmental disaster of Cucunico: still no justice for indigenous communities

The rapid activation of the emergency plan allowed the valves to be closed and containment barriers installed, preventing the crude oil from expanding, they said in a post.

But, according to Amazon Frontlines, the spill affected three Andwa indigenous communities who have seen their access to water and food compromised.

All spills in Peru

According to the study entitled “The shadows of hydrocarbons“, there is an alarming number, almost 500Of emergencies related to spills occurred between 2021 and 2023, which demonstrates the continuity of this problem. One of the main causes identified is the corrosion of oil pipelines and operational failures, which cause 73% of these accidents, highlighting the urgent need to improve infrastructure and operations in the oil industry to prevent future environmental and public health disasters.

oil spills peru

As for the companies, Pluspetrol stands out as the company with the highest number of spills, for a total of 394, followed by Petroperú with 191 e Frontera Energy with 113.