One week after a soy oil spill in Chungará Lake, authorities have removed nearly 6,000 liters of the contaminant from the waters and shoreline. The incident, caused by a Bolivian truck overturning on November 20, impacts a protected high-Andean ecosystem in the Arica y Parinacota region. At least 15 birds have died, and damage to endemic wildlife is under evaluation.
The spill occurred on November 20 when a Bolivian truck overturned at kilometer 179 of the Ruta Internacional 11-CH, dumping bulk soy oil directly into Chungará Lake, part of Lauca National Park and the Lauca Biosphere Reserve in the Arica y Parinacota region.
The National Forestry Corporation (Conaf) began response efforts on November 25, coordinating with specialized company SpillTech under environmental authority instructions. Conaf's regional director, Lino Antezana Navarro, explained that the work started with an assessment of the affected area and delineation of clean and contaminated zones. “We set up collection points, safe transit zones, and areas for handling absorbent waste,” he detailed.
Álvaro Tralma, park ranger administrator of the Salar de Surire Natural Monument and operational coordinator, stated: “Absorbent booms were installed on the eastern shore, cloths were distributed in areas with surface stains, and absorbent pads were placed at points with higher concentrations of the product.”
Following an inspection on November 27, Antezana confirmed that 5,450 liters had been removed from the lake and its edges, approaching 6,000 liters in total. Conaf will continue providing technical advice throughout the process.
Environmental impacts include the death of 15 birds between November 20 and 26, mainly giant coots (adults, juveniles, and chicks), puna ducks, owls, and juarjual, which were sampled and buried by the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG). The effect on the endemic fish Orestias chungarensis remains undetermined, and no flamingos have been observed this week due to noise and personnel presence. Conaf is evaluating a bird recovery point in the Chungará sector; the first eight rescued were transferred to SAG in Tarapacá.
SAG national director Óscar Camacho inspected the site with his team to check wildlife and remediation progress. The Investigations Police (PDI) took water and sediment samples to assess damage and support the investigation. Conaf submitted a full report to the Regional Council (CORE).