Peruvian authorities sealed off three beaches Monday after they were hit by an oil spill due to freak waves caused by the volcanic eruption in Tonga 10,000 kilometers away.

Environment Minister Ruben Ramirez said the accident had affected a 3-km stretch along three beaches. "There is great damage to biodiversity, and it could even impact human health," he said.

The Pampilla Refinery, part of the Spanish company Repsol, said there had been a "limited spill" of oil off the coast of Callao and Ventanilla districts near Lima Saturday due to the violent waves produced by the eruption on the other side of the Pacific Ocean. The spill occurred during offloading from a tanker.

According to Radio Programas del Peru, Ramirez reported Tuesday night that an estimated 6,000 barrels of oil were spilled in the sea. Pampilla could face a fine of up to $34.5 million, the environment ministry said, as prosecutors opened an investigation into the company for environmental contamination. 

Pampilla said it was working with authorities to clean up the affected beaches. Ships worked on collecting oil still floating in the water, while workers in protective gear began cleaning oil that had washed ashore. 

"We want to tell the environment ministry to please follow up, and that those responsible receive a punishment, because this affects the fishermen, the population that they feed with the fish, and marine animals," said local Ventanilla resident Brenda Ramos.

Elsewhere in Peru, two women drowned after being caught in waves caused by the volcanic eruption in Tonga. 

(With input from AFP, cover image via CFP)

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