Oil spill reaches Peru's historic port of Ancon

Fishing and tourism across Lima have seen their businesses stalled after more than 21 beaches on the Pacific coast were contaminated by an oil spill at a refinery run by Spain-based Repsol. The spill has been credited to surging waves caused by the eruption of an underwater volcano near Tonga.

The government has said Repsol has promised to deliver a cleaning schedule, to incorporate local fishermen in the cleanup on beaches and to deliver food baskets to affected families. They also informed that the United Nations will provide a team of experts to help Peru deal with the oil spill.

People are barred for now from going to the 21 polluted beaches because of health concerns.  Peruvian authorities say an Italian-flagged ship spilled 6,000 barrels in the Pacific on Saturday in front of the La Pampilla refinery. Repsol said Peruvian authorities had not provided a tsunami warning and that the ship was continuing to unload oil to the refinery when the waves hit.