Analysis by PMOI/MEK
Iran, May 7, 2019 – Iranian regime state run news agencies reported on Monday that a segment of the 42-inch “New Cham” oil pipeline that runs between the cities of Ahvaz and Omidiyeh in Khuzestan Pprovince, southwest Iran, burst into huge flames.
The report says this pipeline, connecting the town of Omidiyeh to the “Maroon 2” facility in Ahvaz, was under maintenance on Monday when a leak appeared during the operation. The leak was large and efforts to stop it failed, leading to a huge fire after 45 minutes.
This fire then spread to a nearby 12-inch gas pipeline causing that to explode, too.
Other reports indicate residents of a nearby village had to evacuate due to the fire.
The local governor of Omidiyeh, 125 km southeast of Ahvaz, told reporters that the Salehabad village has been evacuated to prevent casualties. Ahvaz is the capital of Iran's oil-rich Khuzestan Province.
A gas pipeline explosion on March 14 in the same area claimed 4 lives. The area also suffered heavy flooding in early April.
