Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal all possible assistance to the victims of a fire at Oil India Ltd.'s Baghjan well, which has been spewing gas for the past fifteen days in Tinsukia district.
Oil India said two of its firefighters who were engaged in controlling the fire have died.
Gave details of Baghjan fire tragedy to PM Shri @narendramodi ji over phone. Also briefed him about emergency measures taken by @PetroleumMin, @OilIndiaLimited & state machinery.
June 10, 2020
He assured of all possible help to resolve the situation & provide relief to victims. @dpradhanbjpAccroding to official sources, the well has been spouting gas and condensate droplets for 15 days now. The fire has burnt almost everything in a 1-km radius. Baghjan well is adjacent to the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park.
"A number of houses, vehicles, small gardens and some forest areas burnt to ashes,” an Oil India official said. “Getting an exact estimation of the damage has become difficult due to the impact of the fire and the high temperature. The district administration is working on this.”
Apart from fire tenders of the company, the Indian Army, Air Force, Indian Oil and Assam Gas Co. are trying to prevent the fire from expanding to nearby areas.
The official also said that as soon as the fire broke out, Oil India employees in and around Baghjan came under violent attack by locals.
"Many of our staff suffered injuries in the attack. Our vehicles were badly damaged. We could evacuate our and ONGC staff working at the site with much effort of the security personnel," a company official said.
The Assam oil well fire is so massive that it could be seen from a distance of more than 30 km with thick black smoke going up several metres high, endangering biodiversity thaty was ravaged following the major blowout that happened on May 27.
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