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🇪🇨 Ecuador /Disasters & Emergencies

Manta port fire causes over $30 million in losses, devastates fishing community

From El Comercio · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A massive fire at the port of Manta, Ecuador, has caused losses exceeding $30 million, affecting 35 vessels and approximately 900 families.
  • The blaze reportedly started during welding work on a fishing boat and quickly spread, consuming boats and their equipment.
  • Authorities are assessing potential environmental contamination in the sea due to hydrocarbons and chemicals from the destroyed vessels.

A devastating fire at the port of Manta, Ecuador, has resulted in losses estimated at over $30 million, destroying 35 vessels and impacting the livelihoods of around 900 families. The inferno has left a trail of destruction, reducing entire fishing businesses to ashes.

One affected fisherman, Daniel Anchundia, described losing 40 years of work. His fishing boat, valued at $400,000, and five smaller boats with multiple outboard motors were consumed by the flames. Anchundia expressed his despair, stating, "I have lost everything. I feel helpless because I had just taken out a loan to repair the engine."

I have lost everything. I feel helpless because I had just taken out a loan to repair the engine.

— Daniel AnchundiaDescribing his personal losses after the fire.

The fire originated on Saturday morning on the boat "Jesús es el Rey" while welding and maintenance work was underway. An explosion in one of the generators is believed to have ignited the blaze, which rapidly spread to 21 other speedboats and 14 larger vessels from the On line and Nodriza fleets.

It is the entire production chain that has been affected by this tragedy.

— Carlos HolguínExplaining the broad economic impact of the fire.

Carlos Holguín, a representative of the fishing industry, emphasized the widespread impact, noting that the tragedy affects the entire production chain, including fishermen, fuel suppliers, and net providers. Washington Flores, president of the Association of Boat Captains in Manta, confirmed the staggering financial losses, with some boats valued at up to $1 million each, not including equipment and fishing gear.

In the aftermath, remnants of the burnt vessels have washed ashore on Manta's beaches. The municipal government has deployed machinery for cleanup operations. Environmental authorities are also conducting analyses to determine the extent of potential marine contamination from hydrocarbons and chemicals like lead and manganese released from the destroyed boats.

There are boats that are valued at half a million and one million dollars. Added to that is the equipment, fishing nets, and other materials.

— Washington FloresDetailing the scale of financial losses.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Comercio in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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