In Ecuador, a fire was localized that broke out at the largest oil refining plant of the country.
This was reported by the state oil company Petroecuador and the Ministry of Energy of the South American country.
The incident occurred at the Esmeraldas refinery, located in the north-west of Ecuador. According to official figures, the fire began in one of the fuel tanks of the enterprise.
The authorities emphasized that no one was injured as a result of the incident. To ensure the safety of personnel, the plant’s work was temporarily suspended.
A current investigation is being conducted, the purpose of which is to establish the causes of fire and possible damage to infrastructure.
Local media reports that the fire was accompanied by a powerful explosion. In the video posted on social networks, thick black smoke clubs rising above the territory of the plant are visible.
The largest oil refinery of the country, Esmeraldas, announced a state of emergency after an earthquake of magnitude 6.1, which occurred on April 28. The natural disaster then led to damage to the key facilities of the plant, including two furnaces for processing raw oil, one reservoir and heat exchanger.
Esmeraldas NPZ
The Esmeraldas oil refinery is the largest Ecuador for oil refining.
Raw oil comes here through pipelines from deposits in the Amazon region.
The plant produces fuel for both domestic consumption and for export by sea.