Jakarta (VNA) - An oil well fire in Central Java, Indonesia, on August 17 claimed at least three lives and left several others injured, the Blora District Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has reported.
According to the BPBD, in addition to three fatalities, seven people were injured. Dr. R. Soetijono Blora regional hospital confirmed that four of the patients suffered severe burns, covering 70–90% of their bodies, and are currently receiving special treatment.
The fire, which broke out at around 12:30 pm (local time), was triggered by a blowout at an unauthorised oil well. The blaze forced 50 families to evacuate to safer locations or relatives’ homes.
Five fire trucks were deployed, and joint personnel continued efforts to extinguish the fire and monitor the area as of August 18 morning.
Blora Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Wawan Andi Susanto said local authorities will intensify enforcement against these unauthorised wells. He added that a preliminary investigation into the incident is underway, with four witnesses have been questioned, although the well’s owner has not yet been summoned.
Blora District Head Arief Rohman emphasised that the explosion should serve as a wake-up call for communities to prioritise safety and comply with regulations./.
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