17 killed at Indonesian fuel storage

At least 17 people are known to have died after a fire broke out at a fuel storage tank in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Friday 3 March. The facility is operated by state-owned energy company, Pertamina.

The fire started at around 8pm (01:00 GMT) on Friday from a fuel pipe at Pertamina’s Plumpang fuel storage depot in the capital Jakarta. It quickly spread to nearby houses in the densely populated area, with 342 people evacuated from their homes.

Initial reports suggest a lightning strike may have ruptured a fuel pipeline, causing the fire. Indonesian officials have called for an investigation and an audit of Pertamina's facilities.