Fire Breakout at Major Greek Oil Refinery; Transportation Affected

On Tuesday, a fire broke out at Greece’s second-largest oil refinery, located approximately 70 kilometers west of Athens, resulting in minor injuries to three individuals. The refinery is operated by the Greek company Motor Oil and is situated near the town of Corinth. The fire, which ignited in the refinery’s processing units, sent a thick column of black smoke into the air, forcing an immediate evacuation of all personnel present at the time. The dramatic scene was captured in images shared by local media, which showed large flames towering over the refinery as fire crews rushed to control the blaze.

Motor Oil issued a statement confirming the incident and providing updates on the situation. According to the company, the fire was brought under control relatively quickly, and the overall situation within the facility had improved by the time of the statement. However, the exact cause of the fire had not yet been determined. The company emphasized that an investigation into the incident would be conducted to ascertain what led to the outbreak.

Three individuals, all of whom worked for a contractor company, sustained minor injuries during the fire. They were promptly taken to a local hospital for medical treatment, though their injuries were reported to be non-life-threatening. Fortunately, no additional casualties or serious injuries occurred, and it appears that the swift evacuation efforts helped prevent a more serious outcome.

Firefighters responded quickly to the scene, deploying significant resources to contain the fire. A total of three helicopters and 11 fire engines were dispatched to the refinery to fight the blaze. Local authorities also took immediate safety precautions for nearby communities, issuing a general emergency message advising residents to evacuate the area as a precautionary measure. The potential danger posed by the fire, combined with the thick smoke, made it necessary to implement these additional safety measures for the protection of the surrounding population.

In addition to the evacuation of the refinery and nearby residents, local authorities temporarily closed a major highway that runs near the refinery to ensure the safety of motorists. The rail company serving the area also suspended train operations on nearby tracks to minimize any further risk to travelers or nearby infrastructure.

This fire highlights the inherent dangers of working in large-scale energy production facilities such as oil refineries. Although the injuries in this case were minor, the potential for a more catastrophic outcome underscores the importance of rigorous safety protocols and emergency response preparedness. Motor Oil will likely review its safety measures following the incident to prevent future occurrences, as well as to ensure that any potential hazards are identified and mitigated quickly.