OIL confirms death of two employees during fire fighting operations at Baghjan oil well

Oil India Limited (OIL) in a statement issued on Wednesday, June 10, revealed that two of its employees, Durlov Gogoi and Tikheswar Gohain had died during fire fighting operations at Baghjan oil well. It stated that bodies of employees had been recovered on Wednesday morning and immediate compensation was being disbursed to ir kin. Moreover, 4 or persons who sustained mir injuries were rendered immediate medical help. At present, fire tenders are spraying water to contain fire from spreading to surrounding areas. Affected people in surrounding areas have been shifted to 12 relief camps.

Meanwhile, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan chaired a meeting with OIL team via video conferencing at 10 am. He reviewed situation on ground level and advised OIL team to take immediate action for providing necessary support to people affected by fire. He also urged m to take all steps to control spread of fire. statement added that 4 teams- Technical, Arrangements & Facilities, Relief and Rehabilitation, and Or Issues had been constituted by Chairman and Managing Director of OIL for effective execution of measures in present crisis. team of experts from Singapore based M/s Alert also visited site and is preparing roadmap for next course of action. 

Read: WATCH: Massive Fire In Assam's Baghjan Oil Well; NDRF, IAF Deployed To Douse Fire

Read: OIL Well Blow-out: Company Says 'gas Flowing Uncontrollably'; Experts Inspect Assam Well

Fire breaks out at Baghjan well

Set up by Oil India Limited in 2006, Baghjan 5 well produces around 80,000 standard cubic metres per day of gas from a depth of 3,870 metres.  blowout at this well occurred on May 27 when two simultaneous operations- servicing of top portion of well and testing new sand in well were going on. At least one dolphin and a variety of fish died as residue of gas condensing after coming in contact with water spread to a distance of 5 km in nearby areas. 

well caught fire at around 1.14 pm on Tuesday. As per reports, blaze was so huge that it could be seen from a distance of more than two km.  Indian Air Force deployed three fire tenders to douse  massive fire after a specific request from Assam CM Sarbananda Sowal to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Earlier in day, PM Modi spoke to Assam CM and assured him all possible support from Centre. 

Read: Assam's Baghjan Oil Field Catches Fire A Week After Blowout; Smoke Visible From Afar