Drone attacks spark huge fire at Zawiyah oil refinery

Copyright One 2017 OnePress

A huge fire broke out at an oil facility in the western city of Zawiya following a series of drone attacks targeting oil facilities, according to Libya’s oil ministry.

Footage taken by witnesses showed flames rising intensely from the scene of the fire, while fire and emergency teams rushed to the scene in an attempt to control the flames and prevent them spreading to other parts of the facility.

Libya’s oil ministry said a series of drone attacks on oil facilities was a security development that raised concerns about the safety of energy infrastructure and continued production and refining operations.

At the moment of initial information, no one had claimed responsibility for the attacks, nor was it fully clear what the casualties were or how much damage had been caused to the facilities.

Oil installations in the Zawiya region are vital to Libya’s energy sector, making any security disruptions likely to have implications for refining and oil supplies.