Fire in Argentina refinery kills three
Firefighters worked throughout the morning to extinguish the blaze that started at a storage tank at the New American Oil refinery, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from the provincial capital of Neuquen, .
- World
- AP
- Published Date: 08:39 | 22 September 2022
- Modified Date: 08:54 | 22 September 2022
A fire at an oil refinery in southwestern Argentina killed at least three people early Thursday, according to local authorities.
Firefighters worked throughout the morning to extinguish the blaze that started at a storage tank at the New American Oil refinery, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from the provincial capital of Neuquen, .
The fire quickly spread throughout the refinery and local media outlets published video showing a massive explosion followed by dark clouds of smoke rising from the facility.
Three workers at the refinery died, said Mayor Gustavo Suárez of the nearby town of Plaza Huincul,
The cause of the fire is under investigation, the Neuquen provincial government said.
The fire quickly "took over the entire refinery," said Roberto Bello, a law enforcement officer with the Neuquén Police Department.
The Private Oil Workers' Union of the Río Negro, Neuquén and La Pampa provinces called for a workers' strike, saying it is "fed up with the lack of commitment to the life of workers."
- UK foreign secretary calls on countries to reject pro-Russia referenda in Ukraine
- 15 dead, 8 rescued after migrant boat sinks off Syrian coast
- EU foreign policy chief pledges justice for victims of Russian attacks
- Zelensky calls on Russians to 'protest' against mobilisation
- Moscow mayor approves additional payments for mobilized Muscovites