JAKARTA, March 29 — A Pertamina oil refinery in Indramayu, West Java, caught fire and exploded injuring over 20 residents and forcing hundreds of people in nearby areas to evacuate early this morning.
According to local media reports, houses and mosques near the plant were also damaged following powerful explosions.
As at 9 am Western Indonesian time, there has been no official statement from Indonesian authorities on the casualties involved.
Pertamina in a statement informed that a tank at the Pertamina Balongan refinery caught fire at 12.45 am when there was heavy rain, lightning and thunder in the area.
“The cause of the fire is not yet known, Pertamina Balongan is now focusing on extinguishing the fire at the refinery located in Balongan, Indramayu district, West Java, which is located about 200km from Jakarta,” read the statement.
Several videos of the huge flames and devastating explosions that occurred following the fire were shared on social media in Indonesia.
Source: BERNAMA