Huge flames erupted following a gas leak from an Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) well in Andhra Pradesh’s Ambedkar Konaseema district, leading to panic among residents. The incident occurred during repair works on the well using a workover rig, resulting in a powerful blowout that released a large volume of gas mixed with crude oil. The leaked gas ignited, causing flames to spread rapidly in the area.
Authorities evacuated residents from nearby villages as a safety measure, with thick clouds of gas and smoke enveloping the surroundings like dense fog. The fire engulfed coconut trees, destroying around 500 of them. Emergency response teams, including ONGC officials, were deployed to the site to address the situation and cap the gas leak.
The Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, inquired about the incident and instructed officials to intensify relief efforts and ensure the safety of villagers. He emphasized the need to coordinate closely with district authorities and ONGC representatives to bring the situation under control promptly. The District Collector and Superintendent of Police were actively monitoring the developments to manage the crisis effectively.
