Two firefighters killed in blaze at India-operated oil field in Assam

Two firefighters of Indian state-owned company Oil India Limited (OIL) have been found dead near the operator’s raging fire at an oil well onshore Assam in the north-east of the country.

The firefighters died while trying to put out a massive blaze on 9 June, Reuters reported.

The fire could be seen from as far as 10km away, according to NDTV.

Baghjan field is located in Tinsukia district of Assam, India.

The oil well has been leaking gas due to blowout at Baghjan-5 well for about 14 days. OIL had suspended operations at the gas well on 27 May after an uncontrolled gas emission.

The state-owned company has brought three experts from Singapore-based firm Alert Disaster Control to control the blowout.

Fire broke out at the Baghjan-5 well a day after the Singapore experts reached the area to attempt to plug the well.

An OIL spokesperson was quoted by the Press Trust of India as saying: “Their bodies were recovered from a wetland near the site. Prima facie it looks that they jumped in the water and were drowned, as there is no mark of burn injury. The exact cause will be ascertained only after a post mortem.”

Around 3,000 people living in villages in and around the Baghjan field are now taking shelter in government schools 10km to 15km away from the site where the fire has occured.

Reuters quoted Oil India as saying in a statement: “Currently, fire tenders are spraying water to contain fire from spreading in the surrounding areas. Arrangement for additional water for fire control is in progress.”

In July 2017, Oil India submitted a feasibility report to the government in connection with the construction of a pipeline from Bihar to Assam to address the energy needs of the state.