Οil spill off the Galápagos Islands after barge sinks into the sea

A barge carrying more than 2,200 liters of oil sunk into the sea in the Galápagos Islands.

The Galápagos Islands are well-known for inspiring Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution back in 1835. They have been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. According to UNESCO, it is one of the most highly affected places of climate change on Earth.

The accident occurred on Sunday, December 23, 2019, in San Cristóbal Island. A crew was trying to carry a container into the barge using a crane. The crane toppled and fell onto the barge which was destabilized and overturned leading to the oil spillage. The vessel, the crane and the container fell into the sea as workers were jumping off the barge to escape.

According to reports, no one was injured due to the incident.

A significant amount of oil leaked out of the vessel but it is still uncertain how much oil was spilled into the sea. Authorities ordered an investigation about the incident and declared an emergency as the marine environment is threatened.

According to the Ministry of the Environment, the Galápagos National Park and the Coast Guard are attempting to contain the spill. Hydrocarbon materials and containment barriers were installed around the barge to prevent spillage from spreading around the sea.

The Galápagos Islands implement severe pollution regulations to protect plants and animals. San Cristóbal Island accommodates unique species such as giant tortoises, sea lions and finches. According to some people, the Galápagos ecosystem is highly threatened by tourism.

Click the video below to watch the moment the barge sinks into the sea after being hit by the crane.