Assam gas well fire: 7,000 people moved to 12 relief camps

About 7,000 people from areas near Oil India's Baghjan gas well, which has been spewing gas for over two weeks and eventually caught fire, have been moved to 12 relief camps, company and government officials said on Wednesday.

In a statement, Oil India Limited (OIL) said it has also formed four teams comprising senior officials to implement measures to mitigate crisis arising out of gas well blowout and massive fire that broke out at site on Tuesday.

Oil India said four persons -- two from OIL, and one from Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), and a contractor -- sustained mir injuries in fire and were provided immediate medical help.

"After incident (fire), affected people in surrounding areas are accommodated at 12 relief camps at a safer distance with help of district administration and arrangements for food and or basic needs have been made," it added.

Tinsukia Additional Deputy Commissioner Pranabjit Kakati said around 7,000 people have been moved to relief camps. Four of se camps were set up after blowout began on May 27.

"After fire broke out, we had to shift two relief camps to a different place as y were near site (of blaze). fire turned into an infer last evening and so we could t take any chance," he added.

Oil India said Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan held an emergency video conference with its staff at company's field headquarters in Duliajan and site in Baghjan.

Pradhan took stock of ground level situation and advised Oil India to take immediate action to provide all necessary support to affected people besides taking all steps to control spread of fire.

"As an immediate actionable measure after meeting, CMD-OIL constituted four teams -- technical, arrangements and facilities, relief and rehabilitation, and or issues -- for effective execution of measures in current crisis situation," statement said.

Immediate compensation is being disbursed to families of two Oil India employees who sacrificed ir lives, it added. Two assistant operators of fire service department of Oil India were killed in efforts to control blaze on Tuesday. ir bodies were recovered from site earlier on Wednesday.

Oil India Chairman and MD Sushil Chandra Mishra had a detailed discussion with Assam Industry Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary in presence of Pegu and apprised him of status of blowout and actions initiated by company.

blaze at well is so massive that plumes of black smoke can be seen from a distance of more than 30 kms, endangering local biodiversity, including nearby Dibru-Saikhowa National Park which was already reeling under impact of blowout.

"Currently, fire tenders are spraying water to contain (keep) fire from spreading to surrounding areas. Arrangement for additional water for fire control is in progress," Oil India said.

It said three experts from Singapore's Alert Disaster Control visited site this morning along with Oil India and ONGC teams to assess current situation. Currently, a roadmap is being prepared for next course of action.

(Photo Credit: PTI)