March 2025 oil spill in Esmeraldas provinceCEFR A1
27 Oct 2025
Adapted from Latin America Bureau, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Alexander Van Steenberge, Unsplash
- A large oil spill hit Esmeraldas province.
- The spill happened in March 2025 at night.
- People smelled diesel at about 8:30 pm.
- Alejandro Bone and neighbours followed the Caple River.
- They found the river water black with oil.
- A broken pipeline made a geyser 17 meters high.
- Oil flowed more than 80 km to the Pacific Ocean.
- At least nine beaches were heavily polluted.
- Fish died when small tributaries lost oxygen.
- Volunteers sent water, filters and basic supplies.
Difficult words
- spill — To flow out of a container.
- pollute — To make dirty or harmful.polluted
- scared — Feeling afraid or worried.
- water — Clear liquid we drink.
- families — Groups of people related by blood.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How do oil spills affect local communities?
- What can we do to help the environment?
- Why is clean water important for families?
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