INDIA – Gas Leak Triggers Fire at ONGC Oil Well in Andhra Pradesh’s Konaseema; Three Villages Evacuated
A fire broke out following a gas leak at an operational Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) oil well in Andhra Pradesh’s Konaseema district on Monday, forcing authorities to evacuate three nearby villages as a precaution. Officials said no injuries or loss of life have been reported.
The incident occurred at the Irusumanda oil well in the Rajole area during routine repair and maintenance work. According to district authorities, production from the well had already been suspended when a sudden blast caused an uncontrolled release of gas and crude oil. The escaping gas ignited shortly after, resulting in tall flames and thick smoke spreading across Irusumanda and surrounding localities.
Residents reported that the area was quickly covered in dense, fog-like gas and smoke, significantly reducing visibility and raising concerns about possible further explosions. In response, the district administration ordered the evacuation of Irusumanda and three neighbouring villages. People were shifted to safer locations under police supervision, and entry into the affected zone was strictly prohibited.
Fire and emergency services were rushed to the site, and firefighting operations are ongoing. ONGC’s emergency response teams and technical experts arrived soon after the incident and are working to cap the leak and bring the blaze under control. Senior officials from the district administration and ONGC remain stationed at the site to monitor the situation.
“The evacuation was carried out purely as a precautionary step. There is no report of casualties,” a district official said, adding that air quality monitoring and safety assessments are underway.
The oil well is part of ONGC’s Rajahmundry asset and is operated by Deep Industries Limited. In 2024, the company secured a contract worth approximately ₹1,402 crore to enhance production from several wells in the region. Officials said it is too early to determine whether the incident was caused by technical failure or human error, and a detailed investigation will be conducted once the site is stabilised.
Given the proximity of the well to residential areas and environmentally sensitive zones in the Konaseema region, environmental and safety experts have also been alerted.
Authorities said evacuated residents will be allowed to return only after the fire is fully extinguished and the area is declared safe. Further updates are expected as containment efforts progress.
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