Lapindo mud dam broken, residents flee

The embankment built by oil and gas company PT Lapindo Brantas in Porong, Sidoarjo, East Java to keep the mudflow from its exploration well was broken down on Thursday morning, causing panic among the area?s residents.

Kompas Cybermedia reported that as a result of the incident, the hot mud flowed to inundate the area?s railway, hundreds of houses and a military office.

The area?s surprised residents quickly collected their belongings and fled the area in panic.

State electricity firm PT PLN immediately switched off power at two distribution stations in the area to cut off supplies to housing complexes around the area. (*)