A fire broke out at a major oil refinery in Australia.
This fire has further intensified concerns about gasoline supply in the country against the backdrop of the global fuel crisis.
A fire at a major oil refinery in Australia has heightened concerns about fuel supply in the country. This was reported by the BBC.
It is reported that a fire occurred at the Corio oil refinery, owned by Viva Energy in the city of Geelong, southwest of Melbourne, late on the night of April 16. Emergency services arrived at the scene after reports of an explosion and flames.
The fire lasted for 13 hours and was extinguished on Tuesday. Dozens of workers who were on the plant's premises at the time of the incident were evacuated. There are no casualties.
This refinery produces nearly 50% of Victoria's fuel and 10% nationwide. It is currently operating partially, but the government stated that the fire could impact petrol production volumes.
Australian Energy Minister Chris Bowen emphasized that the fire occurred amid a global fuel crisis. According to him, the country's fuel supply was already under pressure after the war began in Iran.
In recent weeks, diesel prices have risen sharply, with fuel shortages and panic buying observed in some areas. Airlines are also cutting some flights due to increased aviation fuel prices.
Preliminary information suggests that the fire was caused by equipment failure. An investigation into the incident is underway.
Viva Energy CEO Scott Wyatt stated that the fire damaged two units of petrol production, while other parts remained intact. He said that as a safety precaution, the production of petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel has been temporarily reduced.
Experts note that Australia primarily relies on fuel imported from Singapore, South Korea, and Malaysia, which could mitigate short-term supply disruptions. However, they also emphasize that existing reserves are at risk.
Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj described the incident as "unprecedented" and stated it was a major blow to the industry.
Earlier, the Australian government stated that it could not fully protect the population from global economic pressures.
