OIL well blowout: Magisterial probe on death of five persons

GUWAHATI: The Tinsukia district administration on Sunday ordered a magisterial enquiry into the reported death of five persons due to gas leakage from a well of Oil India Ltd (OIL) in Baghjan area of the state on account of a major blowout.

The PSU major said it has appointed an environment consultant to assess the impact of the blowout in a well, from which gas is flowing uncontrollably since May 27 on the Dibru-saikhowa National Park and its nearby areas in the district.

“The District Magistrate has ordered a Magisterial Enquiry into the matter so as to ascertain the exact cause of death of the expired persons and further details will be revealed in due course of time,” an official release said.

The district administration has taken note of the reports in some media alleging five people dying in the area due to gas emission from the well blowout, it added.

“However, as per preliminary investigations, it has been observed that one person suffering from Tuberculosis (TB) since 2019 expired on June 4 at Srimanta Sankardev Hospital and Research Institute, Dibrugarh,” the statement said.

It said another person suffering from liver disease and undergoing treatment died at his residence on June 4, while a person with a history of epilepsy drowned on June 3.

“Another female person belonging to Natun Rangagarah village who got married to Dibrugarh district expired at Dibrugarh and not at her birthplace...and it has been reported that she has not visited her birthplace in recent times,” the release mentioned.

Due to seepage of crude, condensate and other chemicals from the Oil India Ltd (OIL) well in Baghjan of Tinsukia district, there have been reports of damage to the ecology of the area by the locals, environmentalists and various groups.