Two firefighters killed and 1,600 evacuated after major fire engulfs oil well in India

2020-06-11 29

Two firefighters were killed and least 1,600 families have been evacuated in the wake of a massive oil well fire in India's north-eastern state of Assam.

The Baghjan oil well in Tinsukia district had been leaking gas for 14 days before it caught fire on June 9. The fire was so intense that it could be seen from as far as 10 kilometres away.

Two firefighters of Oil India Ltd who had been missing were found dead at a wetland near the site of the fire.

Officials said the fire has been contained in a 50-metre radius around the site of the incident, but it is still burning as the oil well continues to feed gas.