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

Peru stated an environmental emergency on January 20 after announcing that 21 beaches on the Pacific Coast were contaminated by oil spills at the refulsed by Spanish-based Repsol, following a wave soared caused by the eruption of the underwater volcano near Tonga.

Peru stated an environmental emergency on January 20 after announcing that 21 beaches on the Pacific Coast were contaminated by oil spills at the refulsed by Spanish-based Repsol, following a wave soared caused by the eruption of the underwater volcano near Tonga.

Prime Minister Mirtha Vásquez said Repsol had promised to provide a cleaning schedule, to include local fishermen in cleaning on the beach and to deliver a food basket for the affected family.

Vásquez said the United Nations would provide experts to help Peru handle oil spills. People are prohibited for now to go to 21 polluted beaches due to health problems.

The Peruvian authority said an Italian-flagged ship spilled 6,000 barrels in the Pacific on January 15 in front of the La Pampilla refinery. In the past few days, environmental activists have collected seabirds stained or die.

Repsol said Peru authorities had not given a tsunami warning and that the ship continued to dismantle oil to refineries when the waves hit.

Two women in Peru sank after being swept by strong waves after the Tonga eruption.