Dozens of boats damaged, homes flooded, and one fatality as unusually strong waves hit Peru and Ecuador
Massive waves struck the coasts of Ecuador and Peru on Saturday, December 28, 2024, flooding homes, damaging boats, and closing over 91 of 121 ports in Peru. Over 200 fishermen in Peru ended up stranded in swells while 1 person died in Ecuador’s coastal city of Manta.
Boats being swept away by massive waves. Image credit: ASISMET
Unusually strong waves battered the coasts of Ecuador and Peru on December 28, stranding over 300 people in swells and leaving at least 1 dead.
In northern Peru, waves were seen reaching 4 m (13 feet), damaging dozens of boats and flooding homes. Jetties and public squares in some parts of the country were submerged, with residents seen fleeing to higher grounds.
The event stranded over 300 fishermen in swells, 30 of whom were rescued Saturday afternoon.
At least 91 of Peru’s 121 ports were closed until January 1, according to the National Emergency Operations Center. Many beaches along the central and northern stretches of the country are also closed to prevent risk to human life.
At least one person died in Ecuador, where waves were reportedly reaching up to 2 m (7 feet) on Saturday. According to the Manta Fire Department, the body of a missing person from Manta was found lifeless at 06:00 LT.
In Vina del Mar, central Chile, huge waves sparked warnings from authorities.
The waves are being generated by persistent winds thousands of kilometers away from the coastline. The event began on December 25 and will last until January 1.
1 Strong waves in Peru sweep away boats and cause flooding – DW – December 29, 2024
2 One dead in Ecuador, Peru ports closed amid massive waves – AFP – December 29, 2024
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