Ecuador Battles Uncontrolled Oil Spill After Pipeline Rupture

A landslide caused the SOTE pipeline to rupture, releasing tens of thousands of barrels of oil into rivers, contaminating water supplies for 500,000 people, and devastating ecosystems.

• The March 13 landslide ruptured the SOTE pipeline, spilling large quantities of crude oil into the Esmeraldas, Caple, and Viche rivers.
• The spill has contaminated water supplies for 500,000 people, with local authorities distributing potable water via tankers and ships.
• Ecuador has declared an environmental state of emergency, including in a protected zone home to over 250 animal species.
• Petroecuador has activated an emergency response plan to recover oil and mitigate damage, but the spill remains uncontrolled.
• Local ecosystems and livelihoods, especially fishing communities, face severe long-term impacts as rivers are rendered lifeless by the contamination.

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Ouest-France l'Opinion L'Humanité Courrier International