Oil is no longer a threat… it’s a reality in Tabasco. Two active spills are impacting the state: one on beaches and another in the Río Seco, near the Olmeca Refinery.
In Paraíso and Cárdenas, the oil continues to appear on the coast. And in the river, the impact is direct: dead fish, crabs, and oysters.
Pemex is trying to contain the crude oil with barriers, but the damage has already been done. Even so, state authorities maintain that the beaches are safe for tourists during Holy Week.
“…They are safe… rest assured…” says Alejandro Calderón Alipi, Tabasco’s Secretary of Health, adding that it is even safe to eat seafood.
However, restaurant owners in Paraíso complained that no one wants to visit their establishments because of the two oil spills.
Well, the truth is, it has been quite a blow. Sales have dropped, and since people think we catch the tilapia and shrimp from the river, maybe they’re afraid to come, right? Isn’t that true? No, it’s not true, honestly. We bring the fish from other places, from different farms, just like all the tilapia comes from Chiapas. How many days has this been going on? It’s been almost a week, almost a week.” Jesús Alberto Castellanos, restaurant owner
As of Tuesday night, authorities are still working to control the spills in Tabasco.
The fear of contamination outweighs any official guarantees.
Two spills… two versions… and one clear consequence: the environmental and economic cost is already being felt.
Source: unotv
