Contain stain after sinking barge with diesel in San Cristóbal, Galapagos

Authorities undertook several actions to face an environmental risk due to the sinking of the “Orca” cargo barge at a small jetty on San Cristobal Island, in the Galapagos archipelago.

Contain stain after sinking barge with diesel in San Cristóbal, Galapagos

The situation has already been controlled, it was officially reported. The accident occurred at 09:34 this Sunday, December 22, 2019 in the area of ​​La Predial.

One person was injured and was taken to a hospital in an ambulance of the Ministry of Public Health.

According to official information, the incident was the result of operations to overcome electric rationing on Isabela Island.

The Galapagos Provincial Electric Company was moving a generator from San Cristobal Island when the collision against the loading dock of this island occurred. According to a video, the barge crew managed to jump into the sea in time and only one person was injured.

Authorities gathered in the provincial Emergency Operations Committee (COE) reported that control of the situation has been taken and a set of actions have been taken to mitigate the possible impacts.

The personnel of the Galapagos National Park and that of the Ecuadorian Navy intervened in the area by placing spill containment barriers, barriers and absorbent cloths of hydrocarbons around the ship.

In this way the dispersion of any product that could leave the ship was avoided. At the time of the sinking and as a result of the accident the electric generator, the loading crane and the transport barge containing 600 gallons (about 2200 liters) of diesel were affected.

Members of the Government Council of Galapagos, the Navy of Ecuador, ECU 911, ElecGalápagos, the municipality of San Cristóbal, among other entities, inspected the banks to assess the conditions of the area and measure possible direct impacts on the ecosystem.

The National Police conducted an access control operation to the area of ​​La Predial, limiting pedestrian and vehicular entry to Punta Carola and Tijeretas. Meanwhile, ships of the Navy of Ecuador made water controls to prevent ships from entering the affected area.

According to official information, the intervention operation has contained the stain and the operation for the supply of food to the islands will not be affected.

https://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/noticias/ecuador/1/gabarra-hundimiento-san-cristobal-galapagos