14 killed in oil well blaze

Location of Pakokku in Magwe division, where the incident occured
By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Published: 25 October 2010
At least 14 people have been killed and 58 more injured in a fire at an oil well in central Burma, an official in the military-ruled country said on Monday.

The blaze broke out on Sunday near Pakokku town in Magwe division.

“At least 14 people were killed and 58 others injured so far during the incident,’ said the official, who did not want to be named. ‘The local authorities are trying to put out the fire now.’

He added that “there could be more casualties.” Further details were not immediately available.

Burma is rich in natural resources including oil and gas. But nearly a third of the population lives below the poverty line, according to World Bank figures, as the junta and its associates exploit raw materials for their own benefit.

The resources are a major target for energy-hungry Asian economies such as China, India and Thailand.

Oil giants Total of France and Chevron of the United States are two of the biggest Western companies in Burma and have faced criticism from rights groups for their dealings with the regime.
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