A Peruvian court on Wednesday agreed to hear a $4.5 billion damages claim against Spanish energy giant Repsol and five other companies over a devastating oil spill the government described as an "ecological disaster."

Almost 12,000 barrels of crude spilled into the sea off Peru on January 15 as a tanker unloaded oil at a Repsol-owned refinery.

Peru said at least 5,000 fisherman and shopkeepers lost their livelihoods due to the polluted sea and beaches.

The country's INDECOPI consumer rights agency is seeking $3 billion for environmental damage to Peru's coast, and another $1.5 billion as compensation to consumers, locals and others affected by the disaster.

The 27th specialized civil court in Lima said it has "admitted for processing the claim for compensation and damages" by INDECOPI.

Repsol had blamed the spill on freak waves caused by a volcanic eruption more than 10,000 kilometers (6,200 miles) away near Tonga.

The company has yet to respond to the news, but when the claim was made in May, Repsol described it as "unfounded, inadmissible and incongruous."

The other companies cited in the claim are Mapfre Global Risks (Spain), Mapfre Peru Insurance and Reinsurance Companies (Peru), La Pampilla Refinery (Peru), Transtotal Maritime Agency (Peru) and Fratelli d'amico Armatori (Italy, owner of the tanker involved).

More than 700,000 people were affected by the spill that forced the closure of 20 beaches and dozens of businesses serving tourism.

Repsol has paid $363,000 in fines to the Peruvian state over the spill.

The Italian-flagged Mare Doricum tanker remains anchored off the coast of Peru and has been barred from leaving.

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