At least three people have died, and two others were injured in a fire at an illegal oil well in Indonesia’s Central Java province, authorities said on Tuesday, as hundreds of residents were evacuated from the surrounding area.
The blaze, which began Sunday, is still burning despite three days of firefighting efforts. Agung Tri, a member of the provincial disaster mitigation agency’s rapid response team, said around 750 people were relocated to temporary shelters and local government buildings near the site in Blora.
The well, operated without a permit by local residents, reportedly exploded before catching fire. Authorities are investigating the cause of the blaze. Four excavators have been deployed in an attempt to smother the flames with soil, but firefighters are struggling with the hilly terrain and massive flames.
Illegal oil operations are common in Indonesia, with local communities taking over wells abandoned by companies that deemed them economically unviable. Safety standards are often lax, prompting accidents.
In June, the government introduced a regulation allowing small companies to partner with residents to legalize such operations, aiming to boost production while improving safety and community welfare.
Written By Rodney Mbua
