In brief
A Peruvian naval vessel collided with an oil platform in the Amazon River, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and the disappearance of one crew member.
The collision occurred early Friday morning at the confluence of the Napo River and the Amazon, inflicting "severe damage,” according to Peru's defense ministry. Rescue operations managed to save thirty crew members from the Ucayali, the naval ship involved in the incident, with the help of specialized diving teams and helicopters. The extent of the damage to the oil platform, owned by the Anglo-French company Perenco, remains unclear, including whether any oil leaked into the river.The defense ministry expressed deep regret over the loss of crew members and pledged support for their families. Investigations into the cause of the collision are underway. The Ucayali collided with the platform while navigating near the Napo River's entrance in northern Peru. The Amazon rainforest is home to numerous oil and gas installations, with previous spills significantly affecting local indigenous communities and wildlife. In 2022, an incident linked to a tanker resulted in almost 12,000 barrels of oil leaking into the ocean after being struck by waves generated by a volcanic eruption in Tonga. The incident raises concerns about the environmental impact of oil drilling in the region, which has historically posed risks to both ecosystems and indigenous populations.
