Diesel spill in Galapagos was lower than initially estimated, according to authorities

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(CNN Spanish) - The barge that sank near San Cristobal Island in Galapagos only carried about 200 gallons of diesel and not the 600 that were initially thought on Sunday, the day of the accident. According to the report of the president of the Government Council of Galapagos, Norman Wray, the new data emerged after evaluating the consumption of about 400 gallons during the route reported by the captain of the boat, Carlos Peñaherrera.

Two days after the incident, contingency activities continue. The first is the absorption of surface fuel through containment barriers and absorbent cloths; On Monday a navy plane delivered more absorption material provided by PetroEcuadror. Another action is the extraction of fuel that is still inside the boat that, according to authorities, is 95% underwater.

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The Ministry of Environment of Ecuador reports that diesel propagation was calculated on a perimeter of 150 meters, with a spot already visibly smaller due to the reduction of the spill and according to the institution the situation can already be described as “controlled”.

Government veterinarians also visited the area and assessed that there is no “significant” damage to the fauna and that in some cases they only had to remove spots on the skin of some animals.

Although they maintain the declaration of active emergency, according to the report of the Governing Council of the Special Regime of Galapagos, tourism in the area has developed normally.

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The accident occurred on Sunday, after a discharge maneuver, according to a statement from the Ecuadorian Navy. The incident occurred when a crane moving a container rushed over the "Orca" barge.

Spill Galapagos