No change in Muara Enim oil well’s leakage, people flee

Situation at Purun village in Muara Enim regency has not improved much, six days after a leakage incident hit an oil well facility in the area, Kompas daily reported on Wednesday.

The paper quoted Muara Enim lawmaker Rizal Kenedi as saying that as a result, the people in the area had continued to suffer respiratory and infection problems, and the leaked oil has contaminated more land area. Animals had also suffered, and some had died.

At least 167 people have been suffering from the respiratory infection and acute breathing, the paper said.

The well is owned by the state oil and gas company PT Pertamina. The leakage began on July 7, 2005. The paper did not provide comments from Pertamina.

Around 840 villagers living near the well took refuge at a safer place in the village.

On its part, Pertamina has already dispatched a medical team to help the villagers and giving Rp 250,000 per day per person as compensation.

The leakage was due to heavy pressure inside the well.(*)