What caused the Pertamina fuel depot fire in Jakarta?

Question

Accepted Answer

The Pertamina fuel depot fire in Jakarta was attributed to a detected pipe leak prior to the blaze.

A fire at a fuel storage depot operated by Indonesia's state energy firm Pertamina in Jakarta resulted in 33 fatalities and left 11 individuals in critical condition. The incident, which occurred on March 3, saw flames engulfing nearby residential areas, destroying houses and vehicles adjacent to the depot. Thousands of residents were compelled to evacuate their homes as the fire spread, described by witnesses as resembling a bomb blast.
A Pipe Leak Preceded the Fire

Pertamina acknowledged that a pipe leak was identified before the fire erupted. This leak is the stated cause of the incident that led to the catastrophic blaze at the Jakarta facility.
Significant Casualties and Evacuations

The health authorities confirmed on Friday that the death toll had reached 33, with 11 others receiving treatment in intensive care. Initial reports had indicated a lower casualty count the day after the explosion. The fire necessitated the evacuation of thousands of residents, though all have since departed from temporary shelters.
Government and Pertamina Response

In the aftermath of the disaster, Pertamina issued an apology, and one of its directors was removed from their position. President Joko Widodo visited survivors and urged relevant officials to address the issue of fuel depots situated near residential areas to prevent future tragedies. Pertamina's director, Nicke Widyawati, indicated that immediate relocation of the depot was not feasible due to potential disruptions to the national fuel supply.
History of Incidents at Pertamina Facilities

This fire is not an isolated event for Pertamina. The company has experienced other significant fires at its facilities in recent years. Notably, a large blaze occurred in 2021 at the Balongan refinery in West Java, also owned by Pertamina. Furthermore, the same Jakarta depot where the recent fire occurred had experienced fires in 2009 and 2014, with the latter incident affecting approximately 40 nearby houses.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

What caused the Pertamina fuel depot fire in Jakarta?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends