Risks to the health and integrity of the occupants of Station 5 of the North Peruvian Pipeline increase

Around 30 people, including adults and children, bathed in a tank with industrial water, not suitable for human consumption, from the firefighting system of Station 5 of the North Peruvian Pipeline, with serious risk of contracting skin conditions and gastrointestinal problems due to the conditions of that water source.

This industrial facility, located in Manseriche, Loreto, has been illegally occupied since last Monday, October 4, by a group of close to 200 people, as part of the call for the Amazon Strike promoted by the Awajún Río Apaga Native Federation - FENARA and the Peoples Affected by the Petroleum Activity - PAAP, who demand the attention of the Government for alleged breaches.

Since the group of occupants made their illegal entry to the industrial facilities owned by PETROPERÚ, activities forbidden due to security reasons have been carried out, such as the installation of tents and other elements; and now, making use of industrial water tanks to bathe, without taking into account the security conditions that must prevail in Station 5 and putting their health and integrity at risk.

In the images released by the protesters themselves, children and adults are observed moving in unsafe conditions and preparing food, without considering the warnings present in these high-risk facilities, due to the dangers associated with oil storage. Any source of ignition such as fires, campfires or the use of cell phones, could cause fires and explosions with unfortunate consequences. Nor are the basic biosafety protocols to prevent the spread of Covid-19 being followed.

PETROPERÚ, not being in control of the facilities taken, is prevented from and unable to carry out any action to attend to emergencies in the event of a contingency or accident caused by the occupants.

Faced with this situation, PETROPERÚ alerts the authorities and the community in general about the risks to which the protesters who remain inside Station 5 have been exposed, and urges them to lay down their measure of force, leave the facilities and make their claims in a peaceful manner, through dialogue with government institutions, maintaining social peace and avoiding these actions that put their lives at risk and paralyze the hydrocarbon industry, affecting the economic income of the country and the Loreto region.

Likewise, PETROPERÚ reported that it has been taking the corresponding legal actions, considering that the facts constitute a crime against public security in the modality of hindering the operation of public services, as well as coercion, trespassing, among others.