Ecuador oil pipeline 'attacked'

Ecuador's only crude oil pipeline has burst, in what officials suspect is a dynamite attack near the town of Santo Domingo, about 130km west of the capital Quito.

The president of the state oil company Petroecuador, said up to 10,000 barrels had spilt into the nearby river Toachi, which flows out into the Pacific Ocean.

Rodolfo Barniol told Ecuadorean television that transport of crude has been completely halted, but the pipeline was expected to be repaired within 24 hours.

The armed forces are investigating the incident, which Mr Barniol said has "similar characteristics to prior attacks".

Bomb blasts

The pipeline suffered two bomb blasts last December, the second killing several people.

At the time, there was speculation that Colombian guerrillas or opponents of a new oil project could be involved.

The government is negotiating a deal with the private sector to build a second line, but faces opposition from environmental and indigenous groups.

Ecuador is Latin America's sixth-biggest producer of crude oil, which is the country's main export.