A Peruvian navy vessel collided with an oil platform in the Amazon River, killing at least two people early Friday morning, May 2, 2025.
The collision occurred where the Napo River meets the Amazon River, causing significant damage, according to Peru’s defence ministry.
Officials confirmed that one person remains missing following the maritime accident near northern Peru’s river junction.
Thirty crew members from the navy vessel were successfully rescued after the incident.
The navy deployed specialised in diving teams and helicopters to aid the ongoing search and recovery mission.
The vessel, named BAP Ucayali, struck the oil platform at approximately 1:30 a.m., officials reported.
The defence ministry stated that the collision caused “severe damage” to both the vessel and the platform.
Anglo-French oil company Perenco, which owns the platform, confirmed details of the collision.
Perenco said the navy vessel collided with the bow chain of the AF Manatí, a storage vessel anchored at the site.
The Peruvian defence ministry announced an investigation to determine the cause of the fatal collision.
In an official statement, the ministry expressed deep regret over the loss of its crew members.
Perenco also extended condolences to the families of the deceased sailors through a statement to the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC.
Perenco added that it actively supported the navy’s search and rescue operation from the outset.
The accident highlights ongoing challenges in the Amazon region’s heavily industrialised waterways.
The Amazon River basin contains hundreds of gas and oil blocks across Peru, Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador.
Environmental experts have long warned of the risks posed by industrial activity in the ecologically sensitive Amazon.
Past incidents have resulted in devastating oil spills that severely impacted indigenous communities and wildlife.
In 2022, nearly 12,000 barrels of oil leaked into Peruvian waters following a tanker accident linked to a volcanic eruption.
Authorities assured the public that all necessary measures were being taken to secure the area after the recent collision.
Local communities near the Amazon River expressed concerns about possible environmental repercussions from the incident.
The navy pledged full support for the families of the deceased and continued efforts to locate the missing sailor.
The Peruvian government emphasised its commitment to ensuring maritime safety in the Amazon basin.
Both navy and Perenco officials continue to coordinate recovery and investigation efforts in the region.
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