Pertamina Cilacap Oil Refinery Tank Fire, Luhut Calls Possible Lightning Strike

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan/Rizky Adytia-VOI

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan suspects that the cause of the burning of Pertamina's 36 T-102 tank in Cilacap, Central Java, was a lightning strike. However, what Luhut said was still a conjecture and the truth needed to be investigated.

"That's because most likely because of the thunderstorm that was so extraordinary," said Luhut to reporters at Metro Jaya Police, Monday, November 15.

Regardless of the suspected cause of the fire, Luhut highlighted the handling process. It is said, PT Pertamina is quite good in the process of extinguishing and handling the impact of fires.

"But I think Pertamina will handle it very quickly," said Luhut.

In addition, with the occurrence of two tank fires in Cilacap and Balongan, an evaluation will be carried out. Moreover, PT Pertamina will also conduct an independent evaluation related to the series of fire events.

"Certainly, they (Pertamina) will evaluate themselves," said Luhut.

The tank refinery 36 T-102 containing Pertalite components belonging to Pertamina Cilacap, Central Java, caught fire on Saturday, November 14, at 19.10 p.m., during heavy rain accompanied by lightning. There were no fatalities in this incident.

In an effort to investigate the cause of the fire, the National Police have deployed a team of Inafis and the Forensic Laboratory. Both teams will look for evidence and clues to conclude the cause of the fire.