Peru's President Pedro Castillo decrees major oil spill linked to Tonga eruption an environmental emergency

Major oil spill in Peru linked to Tonga eruption declared an environmental emergency

Peru has declared an environmental emergency as clean-up teams struggled to contain a huge oil spill at the country's biggest refinery caused by waves from a volcanic eruption near Tonga that rocked a ship unloading crude.

Unusual swells, caused by a volcanic eruption thousands of kilometres away in Tonga on Saturday, were blamed for the spill that has dirtied waters and beaches along Peru's Pacific coast, with dead birds and seals washing up on shore.

"We are at a critical moment in environmental matters," said Peruvian President Pedro Castillo, before signing the emergency decree on one of the beaches hit by the spill.

Mr Castillo blamed the oil company for causing the disaster, saying, "we cannot shy away from responsibilities".

Workers dressed in protective suits clean oil-contaminated Conchitas Beach. (AP: Martin Mejia)

Prosecutors have opened an investigation into the incident and the Peruvian government is demanding the Spanish oil company pay for the damage.

A spokeswoman for La Pampilla refinery, owned by Spanish energy firm Repsol, has said the firm was not responsible for the spill and blamed the Peruvian navy for not issuing a tsunami warning after the Tonga eruption.

Unlike other Pacific countries, Peruvian authorities warned of unusual waves only after the eruption.

Some 6,000 barrels of oil were spilled in the incident, leaving oil on 21 beaches. (AP: Martin Mejia)

Environment Minister Ruben Ramirez has said that some 6,000 barrels of oil were spilled in the incident, which has left oil on 21 beaches.

Peru's Agency for Environmental Assessment and Enforcement (OEFA) said in a statement that as of Thursday, the area affected included 1.7 million square meters of land and 1.2 million square meters in the sea.

Peru's foreign ministry said the oil spill harmed animal and plant life in protected zones over a combined area of around 18,000 square kilometres, including islands and fishing regions.

The oil spill harmed animal and plant life on islands and in fishing regions. (AP: Martin Mejia)

Repsol said in a statement on Thursday that a team of divers was exploring underwater damage from the spill, and said it had deployed more than 2,500 meters of containment booms and 10 boats to recover oil from the sea.

"We regret not having adequately communicated all our commitments and the actions that have been carried out to address the impact," Repsol said, after facing criticism for its response.

ABC/wires