Fri, 19 Oct 2007

Huge licks of flame and plumes of smoke are billowing as unknown insurgents have reportedly set an oil pipeline ablaze near Kirkuk.

The incident occurred near Al-Safra on a pipeline that carries crude from Kirkuk's rich oilfields to the refinery city of Baiji. Al-Safra is situated about 60 kilometers west of Kirkuk.

"According to first reports the explosion was an act of sabotage, probably by insurgents who blew up a subsidiary pipeline with an improvised explosive device," a police spokesman said.

A spokesman for the Northern Oil Company, meanwhile, said they expected the flames to be brought under control within a few hours. He added the flow of oil through the pipeline had been halted in the meantime.

Insurgents have launched deadly attacks over recent months in Kirkuk.


source