PHOTO: Powerful Flames At Balongan Refinery Explosion

JAKARTA - The RU VI Balongan oil refinery, Indramayu, West Java exploded and caught fire. Officers until this afternoon are still trying to extinguish the fire.

The explosion at the Balongan oil refinery began with a pungent odor on Sunday, March 29 at midnight. In the early hours of Monday, March 29, the oil refinery caught fire with several explosions.

"Because I am there every day, so I know very well this smell is not the usual one. It smells like gasoline,” said Yati (40), a resident of Kesambi Block, Balongan, Indramayu as quoted by Antara.

A total of five people suffered severe burns and 15 others suffered minor injuries due to a fire that occurred at the RU VI Balongan oil refinery, Indramayu Regency, West Java.

"The temporary data shows that there are five people who suffered serious burns," said Acting Secretary of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Indramayu Regency, Caya.

Meanwhile, West Java Police Chief Inspector General Ahmad Dofiri said there were reports of indications of leaks in the burning oil tank pipe at the RU VI Balongan oil refinery in Indramayu Regency, West Java.

"We received information earlier that there was seepage or leakage in the burning tank pipe," he said as quoted by Antara, Monday, March 29.

The leak, according to him, allegedly triggered the burning of the oil tank at the RU VI Balongan oil refinery.

Meanwhile, the Regent of Indramayu, Nina Agustina, has directly observed the location of the fire with the West Java Police Chief. Nina coordinated with Forkopimda and Pertamina RU VI Balongan so that the blackout could be carried out as soon as possible. He also ensures that the affected residents get treatment.

Some of the residents who were affected by the fire at the Balongan refinery are currently being accommodated in the Pendopo Bupati of Indramayu.

"Please pray from all Indramayu community members so that this fire accident can be resolved immediately," said Nina Agustina.