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In 2021, a tank from Carrefour in Santos leaked 10 thousand liters of diesel oil, causing severe environmental damage. Ibama fined the chain R$ 12.5 million, but the company is trying to reverse the penalty. With contaminated beaches and dead fish, the case exposes management failures and is a warning about the environmental responsibility of large corporations.
In an episode that exposed operational weaknesses and generated outrage in society, one of the largest retail chains in the world, Carrefour, became the protagonist of an environmental disaster that directly impacted the coast of Santos, in São Paulo.
The case, which involves a diesel oil leak, left traces not only in the environment but also in the company’s reputation.
According to Folha de S. Paulo, in an article published this Friday (29), in May 2021, a fuel tank for the emergency generator of a store in the Shopping Praia Mar suffered a rupture in its structure, causing the spill of up to 10 thousand liters of S500 diesel oil.
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The material contaminated stormwater drains and reached beaches in the region, resulting in fish deaths, nausea among the population, and profound environmental impacts.
The Ibama (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) quickly fined the company R$ 12.5 million, which is currently under review.
The Day of the Leak and Emergency Actions
On May 4, 2021, around 7:15 AM, Ibama was notified by the Civil Defense about a strong odor and the presence of oil in channel 6, which drains into the beach of Santos.
As reported by Folha de S. Paulo, the problem began much earlier, around 2 AM, when residents had already detected the smell, but Carrefour only acknowledged the incident hours later.
According to the investigation, the problem originated from a corroded clamp that held the hose of the fuel tank.
When the oil began to leak, it flowed down the patio drain and into the underground galleries, contaminating public roads and reaching the sea.
The authorities mobilized firefighters, the Municipal Guard, and the port of Santos, which sent barriers and absorbent mats to contain the material. However, the oil had already spread.
The cleanup required the use of vacuum trucks and over 8 thousand liters of water. Only at 3 PM did a company contracted by Carrefour begin mitigation efforts.
Million-Dollar Fine and the Legal Battle
Ibama fined Carrefour not only for environmental damage but also for the delay in reporting the incident and the slowness in initial responses.
Folha de S. Paulo highlighted that technical areas of the agency have already confirmed the infraction, indicating that the company will be required to pay the million-dollar fine.
The chain, for its part, has presented a defense and is awaiting the administrative outcome but may appeal legally if Ibama maintains its decision.
Lasting Impacts and Carrefour’s Reaction
S500 diesel oil, being a light material, quickly infiltrated the sand on the beach, making complete removal difficult. The effects of the spill were widely felt by the local population, who reported respiratory discomfort and concerns about water and food contamination.
In a statement, Carrefour claimed to have provided justifications to Ibama and stated that it is awaiting the final ruling.
However, the negative repercussions of the episode were amplified by recent controversies involving the chain’s CEO, Alexandre Bompard.
The executive had announced that Carrefour would stop buying meat from Mercosul due to alleged compliance issues, but he reversed course after criticism and publicly apologized.
A Stain on Reputation
The incident in Santos was not only an environmental issue but also a warning about the risks of lacking preventive maintenance and the need for rapid responses to emergencies.
Carrefour, which has faced other image crises in Brazil, will have to deal with the weight of this new controversy, both financially and socially.
Will episodes like this cause companies to rethink their practices and responsibilities in Brazil, or will the impacts continue to be absorbed only by local communities and the environment?
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