Fire at Saudi Arabian oil workers compound kills two, injures 105

Khobar (Saudi Arabia), August 30

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A fire at an oil workers’ residential compound in Saudi Arabia on Sunday killed two persons and injured 105 others of various nationalities, including some who are in a critical condition, the Civil Defence said on its Twitter account.

National oil company Saudi Aramco said the fire broke out in a basement of the Radium residential compound in Khobar.

“At 05:45 today a fire was reported in the basement of the Radium residential compound in Al Khobar which is leased by Saudi Aramco for its employees,” Aramco said in a statement.

On Twitter, the Civil Defence said: “Cars and furniture caught fire in the basement of one of the towers, heavy smoke bellowed, obstructing rescue and firefighting operations.”

Colonel Ali Al-Qahtani, Eastern Province Civil Defence spokesman said evacuation efforts continue to save people from rooftops. Residents said helicopters were seen flying in the area.

According to Aramco’s website, the Radium Residential Complex consists of eight six storey buildings and comprises 486 units.

Saudi Aramco is headquartered in Dhahran and has more than 55,000 employees. Saudi Aramco has not identified the nationalities of its employees in the statement but it is believed that the compound houses expatriates. — Reuters