A fire at Ecuador’s largest oil refinery halted production and prompted evacuations. No serious injuries occurred, but concerns about safety lingered in the community. Petroecuador assured the public that fuel supply remains guaranteed despite the incident.
A fire at Ecuador’s largest oil refinery in Esmeraldas has halted production due to safety concerns. The blaze erupted on Monday, prompting evacuations of nearby residents as thick smoke enveloped the area. State oil company Petroecuador, responsible for the refinery, where 110,000 barrels per day can be refined, confirmed operations would stop to prioritize the safety of the facilities and its personnel.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, although five individuals did require medical assistance for minor smoke inhalation. Observations by an AFP journalist indicated that workers were evacuated, as soldiers and refinery personnel cordoned off the site. Authorities later confirmed that local residents were being evacuated, though the exact number was not disclosed.
The cause of the fire, which occurred near Ecuador’s border with Colombia, remains under investigation. Energy Minister Ines Manzano assured the public on X that the situation was “under control,” yet many residents expressed lingering fears regarding their safety. “A loud noise was heard, and we all started running,” stated Ramiro Medina, a refinery worker.
Community representative Edgar Romero voiced concerns as well, explaining, “We smelled something and thought it was coming from the school fumigation… but then we smelled gasoline. We hope that the authorities will take action.”
Despite the fire, Petroecuador did not provide details about the volume of fuel present in the affected tank at the outbreak. Ecuador has a significant oil production capacity, being one of South America’s major producers, with a daily output of approximately 475,000 barrels, of which a large portion is exported.
Notably, the country’s oil production faced disruptions last year due to severe power outages caused by a prolonged drought, affecting hydroelectric reservoirs. In a separate but related incident in March, a major fuel pipeline leak saw over 25,000 barrels of crude spill into rivers, leading to further export suspensions. Ecuador also operates two smaller refineries with capacities of 45,000 and 20,000 barrels per day.
The government stated Monday that the “supply of fuel is completely guaranteed throughout the country,” assuring citizens that despite the current setback, they should not face fuel shortages.
In summary, a fire at Ecuador’s largest oil refinery has caused significant disruption and raised safety concerns among residents. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, and efforts to contain the situation are ongoing. Despite this incident, the government reassures the public that the nation’s fuel supply remains stable, although past issues of production reliability linger in the backdrop.
Original Source: www.cp24.com
