Oil spill reported at Venezuelan refinery in Curacao

Curacao's local press has informed about a spill of hydrocarbons in Venezuelan refinery Isle, located in Curacao. It has been reported that officials from Venezuelan state-run oil company Pdvsa responded ten days after the spill occurred.

Local newspaper Amigoe reported that the Coastguard noticed the spill on August 17, subsequently informing Harbor Safety Inspection (HVI). Nonetheless, responses did not come until August 25. "It's incomprehensible that Pdvsa waited until Saturday to send a cleaning team to the area and let the situation get worse" said Peter van Leeuwen,  chairman of Clean Environment on Curacao (SMOC).

The Coastguard has informed that the oil slick has remained still on the sea given the slight winds.

Reports indicate that the spill is already affecting natural reserve Jan Kok, where animals such as flamingos and crabs have been soaked with oil.

Translated by Jhean Cabrera