Amaravati, Jan 5 || Huge flames following a gas leak from a well of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) in Andhra Pradesh’s Ambedkar Konaseema district on Monday sent people in a state of panic, forcing authorities to evacuate residents of nearby villages.
Panic gripped Irusumanda and surrounding villages in Malikipuram Mandal following a massive gas leak from a well of the ONGC.
The crude-mixed gas suddenly erupted while repair works were underway using a workover rig after the well had temporarily halted production. A powerful blowout released a massive volume of gas mixed with crude oil, which shot high into the air.
Local officials said the leaked gas soon caught fire, with flames erupting at the site. Thick clouds of gas and smoke spread across Irusumanda and the surrounding areas like dense fog, officials said.
The authorities were evacuating people in a five-kilometer radius.