Massive fire at Indian American refinery injures at least 35
Indian media have reported a massive fire at the Haldia Petrochemical Company facility in the Indian state of West Bengal, injuring at least 35 people, with some of the injured reported to be in critical condition.
According to reports, the fire occurred in the company’s oil pipeline in the Madanipour East area, and published images show widespread flames and thick smoke at the scene.
Haldia Petrochemical Company confirmed the incident and announced that the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation; initial reports indicate that lightning may have damaged part of the pipeline and started the fire.
Haldia, which operates an ethylene production unit with an annual capacity of 700,000 tons, is largely owned by the private American company Chatterjee Group (TCG).
