2 firefighters found dead near oil well blaze in India's Assam

NEW DELHI: Two missing firefighters belonging to state-owned Oil India Limited were found dead Wednesday at a wetland near the site of massive blaze at an oil well in India's northeastern state of Assam, officials said.

The oil well that has been leaking gas for the past 14 days caught fire on Tuesday in Baghjan of Tinsukia district, about 523 km northeast of Dispur, the capital city of Assam.

According to local reports, the intense fire and black smoke raging at the spot was visible from as far as 10 km distance.

"The bodies of two firefighters that went missing yesterday during the operation to douse the massive blaze have been found today," a local government official said. "The rescuers from the disaster response force found the bodies and sent them for post-mortem."

Officials said the fire has been contained in a 1.5 km radius around the site. However, the fire at the site was yet to be brought under control. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said he has briefed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the emergency measures underway at the spot. Sonowal said Modi assured him of all possible help to resolve the situation and provide relief to victims.

Meanwhile, authorities have sent in teams of Indian air force and army to assist in firefighting operations. Officials said the area has been cordoned off by paramilitary forces and locals evacuated from the nearby areas.

Oil India on Tuesday said the oil well caught fire while clearing operations were underway at the spot. The company in a statement said there were protests around the gas leak site, and all Oil India and ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) teams have been evacuated.

Oil India officials made a request to the chief secretary, Assam, and Tinsukia district administration for maintaining law and order at the site.

Authorities have flown in experts from Singapore to carry out operation and cap the oil well.

The oil well at Baghjan had a blowout on May 27 and has been leaking gas since then. Locals alleged it has caused damage to the region's wetlands and biodiversity. The agricultural fields and water bodies at adjoining villages have been contaminated in the wake of gas leak. Tea plantation growers in the area have also complained about layers of gas condensate at their tea gardens.