National emergency declared after oil spill turns Ecuador river black

An oil spill in northwestern Ecuador turned the Esmeraldas River black, prompting authorities to declare an environmental emergency and order residents to ration drinking water.

The spill, caused by a landslide that ruptured a major oil pipeline, contaminated the river in Esmeraldas Province. A national emergency was declared to mobilize resources and personnel to address the environmental damage, including to the Mangrove and Estuaries Wildlife Refuge. Local tourism suffered as visitors stayed away, disrupting the livelihoods of those dependent on tourism.