Fire at Cepu gas field displaces 1,000 people
Fire at Cepu gas field displaces 1,000 people
Blontank Poer and Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post, Blora
More than 1,000 villagers have refused to return to their
villages after a major fire at the state-owned oil and gas
company Pertamina's oil and gas exploration field in Cepu, Blora
regency, Central Java on Monday.
The fire is continuing to rage with Pertamina officials
conceding it would take at least five weeks to bring it under
control.
Besides feeling traumatized, hundreds of residents are still
ill blaming gas and smoke fumes. Three villagers are still
undergoing medical treatment at the Cepu General Hospital for
breathing difficulties or lung disorders.
"We remain alert amid fresh fears of more fires. We are still
traumatized by the giant flames and its heat and bad odor," said
Parjan, a resident of Peting village.
Parjan and his wife and five children, spent Tuesday night at
his brother's house in a neighboring village.
Supardjo, 55, and Waridjan, 65, residents of Sumber village
near the fire's location, said they were shocked at the intensity
of the blaze and would continue to stay in their sons' house far
from the fire till the situation returned to normal.
The villagers said they would return home only after the local
administration and Pertamina gave iron-clad guarantees that the
villages were truly safe to live in.
More than 4,000 residents of numerous villages near the fire
fled when the well first exploded. Most had since returned home.
The displaced villagers said they would claim financial
compensation from Pertamina for the suffering and material losses
caused by the fire.
The fire also affected tens of hectares of rice fields and
other crops.
Kusnanto, deputy chairman of the Blora regency legislature,
said the legislative council would seek answers from Pertamina
regarding its stance on paying compensation to the adversely-
effected villagers.
Idris Kamidjo, general manager of Pertamina's eastern Java
operation's office, said Pertamina would provide financial and
medical assistance for all villagers effected by the fire.
"I know they (villagers) have been traumatized. That is why we
will cover all medical fees for all those affected by the fire
and provide financial compensation for all displaced people," he
said.