Assam: Another blast in Baghjan, 3 foreign experts injured

There has been an accident in Baghjan with a huge blast-like the sound heard near the well site. As per reports, 3 foreign experts from Singapore have been injured while working in the well sire. The well has been revealed to be the well no. 5.

All have been rushed to Ashtha Hospital, Dibrugarh. Few of them have also been shifted to AMCH, Dibrugarh. They are said to be burn injuries. The work has been stopped for the day. As per Tinsukia district administration, the fire is limited to the well site only.

Confirming the matter, Oil India Limited's spokesperson, Tridip Hazarika said, "An explosion occurred near well no.5 of Oil India in Baghjan, Tinsukia district. Three foreign experts who were at the site injured. They have been rushed to hospital".

OIL later tweeted regarding the situation: "The team could successfully complete more than 70% of retrieval job of 7 1/16” tubing spool yesterday and for the remaining work had commenced since today morning. The 3 experts from Alert suffered minor burn injuries during removal of the spool. The 3 experts were provided immediate medical attention by doctor at well site & later on they were taken to burn unit section of Astha Nursing Home at Dibrugarh. They hv bn released after dressing of d burn injuries. It is expected dat operations will resume at Baghjan tomorrow".

Earlier in Baghjan

27th May: An Oil India Limited gas well, the BGR 5, faced a blowout which spewed hydrocarbons across a huge radius raining the adjoining villages in Baghjan with associated condensate. 

As per a local observer, “OIL has given assurances to stop the fire by 7th July, although the floods are causing a big problem to that deadline. The bridge that connects the area to the rest of towns has been broken. It will definetly hamper the operations”.

Also read: Assam: 90% of Kaziranga submerged under floods, 120 animals dead

As such, the Baghjan situation now faces uncertainties amid the wrath of floods and the rising cases of the corona that makes the villagers vulnerable to the disease as they are kept in relief centres and devoid of the safety of their own homes.

9th June: The blowout caught fire when well control experts from M/S Alert Disaster Control had arrived at the scene to begin work on capping the well. The fire is still raging as this report is being typed out. Villagers were evacuated immediately and sheltered in nearby schools which facilitated as relief centres. Two persons, both OIL employees, have lost their lives due to the blowout.

Ever since, there has been efforts going on to douse the flames.

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