Swiss tourist among hostages freed in Peru oil spill protest
Hostages have been taken to protest an oil spill in a Peruvian river.
Keystone / Rodrigo Abd
A Swiss citizen was among the more than 100 tourists freed a day after being taken hostage by local residents demanding action after a recent oil spill in a river in the Peruvian Amazon.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/mga
Português
pt
Suíços mantidos como reféns por derramamento de petróleo no Peru
On Friday, Peru’s tourist minister Roberto Sanchez confirmed that the tourists were on their way home after negotiations led to the release of the hostages. Among the more than 100 people taken hostage were 27 tourists from the US, Spain, France, the United Kingdom and Switzerland as well as about 80 Peruvians.
According to Swiss public radio, RTS, residents in the community Cuninico had kidnapped the tourists, who had been traveling by boat along the river, as a way to demand action by the Peruvian authorities in response to an oil spill. In September some 2,500 tonnes of oil from the state-owned Norperuano (ONP) pipeline spilled into the Cuninico river.
The government declared a state of emergency in the region where some 2,500 indigenous people live. The head of the Cuninico community, Watson Trujillo has called for a government delegation to investigate the spill and the environmental impacts.
Switzerland abstains from vote on Palestinian bid for full UN membership
This content was published on
On Friday, Switzerland abstained from the vote at the General Assembly on granting the Palestinians new rights at the United Nations (UN).
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss-Peruvian climate deal pioneers international cooperation
This content was published on
Switzerland and Peru have become the first signatory states to conclude an international carbon offsetting deal under the Paris climate agreement.
This content was published on
Anger and suspicion are the main emotions one encounters in Pensacola, a small port in western Florida, where inhabitants feel that British oil giant BP and Transocean share responsibility for the catastrophe. Life was turned upside down for locals in April, when the Deepwater Horizon rig owned by Transocean but leased to BP exploded and…
Russian activists demand action on Nornickel spill
This content was published on
The Nornickel oil spill has taken a heavy toll on indigenous communities living in Russia's Arctic. They say their way of life is at risk.
Swiss refiner breaks industry silence on sourcing gold from risky areas
This content was published on
PX Precinox CEO Philippe Chave defends his firm’s record in Peru and explains how it is making sure all gold imported to Switzerland is ‘clean’.
Swiss court rules against gold trade transparency: NGO
This content was published on
A Swiss court ruled in favor of trade secrecy for gold refiners despite concerns dirty gold is finding its way to Switzerland.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.