World
10:27, 25-Apr-2018
At least 15 killed, dozens wounded in Indonesia oil well fire
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00:34
The death toll from an illegal oil well blaze in Indonesia has jumped to 15 with dozens injured, authorities said on Wednesday, warning that there could be more victims of the explosion.
"We are still collecting data on the number of victims because the fire has not been extinguished," Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency said in a statement.
Early report said ten people died in the blaze and some 40 people "severely injured".
Firefighters are still struggling to contain the fire and state oil firm Pertamina is said providing equipment to help fight the fire.
The fire broke out early on Wednesday, after a well of dept 250 meters overflowed and residents gathered to collect the oil.
The sparks later spread to nearby residential area and engulfed five houses.
The oil well in Aceh Province at the northern tip of Sumatra Island in western Indonesia is suspected of being dug illegally by villagers to get free oil.
The amount oil spilled is not immediately clear, nor the cause of the fire, but local authorities suggested a lit cigarette might behind the mishap.
4398km