Peru's coast battered by strong swells, leaving 2 dead and 98 ports closed

Peru's coastline is experiencing severe ocean swells, leading to tragic consequences including the deaths of two fishermen and two others still missing. The dangerous conditions have forced the closure of 98 out of the country's 126 ports. In the southern Ica region, two fishermen disappeared after their small artisanal boat sank near the Paracas National Reserve. Their bodies were recovered on Tuesday. A separate incident in the Arequipa region saw another boat capsize due to the rough seas, with two fishermen managing to reach shore while two remain unaccounted for. Coastal communities are also reporting damage to promenades from the high waves, and fishing activity has been halted in major ports like Chimbote. In Trujillo, residents have raised concerns about the stability of electrical poles due to the waves. The Regional Government of La Libertad announced an extension of the pier's revetment to bolster its defenses against the powerful surf. The National Emergency Operations Center confirmed the widespread port closures, affecting 38 ports in the north, 12 in the south, and 48 in the central coast. The Peruvian Navy's Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation forecasts that these anomalous swells, primarily impacting open or semi-open beaches facing southwest, will persist until Thursday, June 11. Authorities are urging regional and local governments, port authorities, and businesses to implement necessary preventive measures to avoid accidents and mitigate potential damage.