CARACAS, Venezuela, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Community leaders in northeastern Venezuela told the state oil company they observed oil in a nearby river nearly two weeks after a pipeline leak was reported.
In mid-February, the Venezuelan environment minister said about 90 percent of the oil spilled in the Guarapiche River in eastern Venezuela had been contained. Minister of Environment Alejandro Hitcher said the spill occurred Feb. 4 but was under control.
It's not clear what caused a pipeline near an oil complex to rupture or how much crude oil reached the river.
Community leaders in the northeastern state of Anzoategui told state-run oil company Petroleos de Venezuela that an oil sheen was seen in another river last weekend, Venezuelan news agency El Universal reports.
Leaders said they were worried because river water is used for crop irrigation and sustains regional cattle breeding efforts.
Hitcher said water from Guarapiche would be suitable for use in a nearby filtration place in about 10 days. The filtration plant was closed briefly as an interim response.
