Source: CCTV Finance
On the afternoon of the 5th local time, the crude oil storage tank of an oil reserve base in Matanzas Province, Cuba, was struck by lightning and caused a fire. Since then, the fire has caused 4 explosions in another surrounding oil storage tank. As of the afternoon of the 6th local time, the accident has caused 1 death, 121 injuries, 17 firefighters missing, and about 1900 people have been evacuated.
The fire at the Cuban oil reserve base has killed 1 and injured 121
The reporter came to the scene of the fire accident at the Oil Reserve Base in Matanzas Province, and the picture could see that the fire was still very fierce, and the billowing black smoke was straight into the sky. It is understood that this oil reserve base has a total of 8 crude oil storage tanks, each crude oil storage tank volume of 50,000 cubic meters, can store 50 million liters of crude oil, there are currently two crude oil storage tanks have caught fire.
On the afternoon of August 5, local time, the first crude oil storage tank that caught fire had 50% of the oil storage capacity, about 26,000 cubic meters. In the early morning of the 6th, the second crude oil storage tank had four explosions, and the fire is still continuing.
The fire continued to spread 24 hours after burning, and the risk of explosions in other surrounding crude oil storage tanks was not ruled out. At the same time, high temperatures make fire fighting more difficult.
At a fire station about 2 kilometers from the scene of the fire, some firefighters and Red Cross personnel gathered here to wait for support for relief and rescue efforts. Helicopters can be seen in the air to and from the fire site to transport water for disaster relief. In fact, for safety reasons, private vehicles are banned from here. At the scene, the reporter got the news that the third crude oil storage tank was also in danger of explosion.
After the fire accident, the first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, President Diazcanel, and Prime Minister Mareiro arrived in Matanzas Province to direct the rescue. Mexico, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Bolivia and other countries have said they will provide assistance to Cuba.
Cuba: Crude oil storage tank explosion is powerful Local residents are worried
The fire at cuba's oil reserve base was so powerful and destructive that some witnesses still look back on it, fearing that the fire would affect the local environment and energy supplies.
Local residents are also concerned that the fires will pollute the environment in the vicinity. In addition, Cuba has recently suffered an energy crisis, and many places have had to cut power or impose power curtailment measures, and this fire may further exacerbate the situation of energy shortages.
Residents of Matanzas, Cuba: I am concerned that the smoke will cause environmental pollution, and the residents here have been evacuated, but the residents of other places nearby will also be affected.
Resident of Matanzas, Cuba: I am also worried about further loss of oil, our country is already suffering from an energy crisis, and worse, we have a power outage here, and many people have been affected.