Peru demands compensation for oil spill damage, aerial images show extent of devastation
Oil spill at a refinery in Peru
High waves caused by a massive volcanic eruption in Tonga last week led to an oil spill at a refinery in Peru.
It is termed an "ecological disaster" by the Peruvian government, which is demanding compensation from Spanish energy giant Repsol.
Beaches sealed off
Authorities sealed off three beaches on Monday after barrels of oil were spilt during the offloading of a tanker at the Pampilla refinery off the coast near Lima.
Peru's Environment Minister Ruben Ramirez met with Repsol's officials and said that around 6,000 barrels of oil were spilt, according to the company.
Authorities clean up the beaches
The spill happened on Saturday at the refinery of the town of Ventanilla in the Lima region, affecting a three-kilometre stretch of beaches.
Refinery officials originally described the spill as "limited" and said it was working with authorities to clean up the beaches.
Refinery's four terminals to be shut down
Peru's Supervisory Agency for Investment in Energy and Mining (Osinergmin) said in a statement it has ordered one of the refinery's four terminals to be shut down until the causes of the spill are determined.
La Pampilla is Peru's largest refinery and supplies more than half of the local fuel market.
Probe started
The refinery could face a fine of up to $34.5 million, the environment ministry said on Monday as prosecutors opened an investigation into the company for environmental contamination.
Operations suspended
Peru
Oil spill harmed flora and fauna
On Tuesday, the energy and mining regulation body Osinergmin ordered the suspension of operations at the refinery pending an investigation into the causes of the spill.
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