A preliminary investigation report into a mysterious underground fire near an oil refinery in Korangi Creek has raised environmental alarms. Chemical analysis of groundwater and soil has revealed dangerous amounts of toxic gases and heavy metals such as benzene, toluene and tetrachloroethane, which has alarmed authorities, experts and environmental agencies.
About the underground fire, Korangi Deputy Commissioner Masood Bhutto confirmed that the analysis to understand the nature of the flames and boiling water from the ground found the presence of highly dangerous chemicals, including benzene (19 micrograms per liter), toluene (15 micrograms), and tetrachloroethane (33 micrograms).
It is to remember that the globally accepted limit of these chemicals is 5, 5 and 5 micrograms per liter respectively. Similarly, the amount of metals such as iron, manganese, arsenic and lead has also been recorded to be much higher than environmental protection standards. Iron levels reached 181.6 mg per liter, hundreds of times higher than the normal limit.
Investigations have revealed that the fire broke out during the excavation of a borehole of PPL (Pakistan Petroleum Limited), which was actually being carried out for a high-rise construction project. During this time, after the possible ‘shell’ or natural barrier in the earth’s crust was broken, the gases started to be released, which ignited the fire.
According to DC Korangi, initially experts believed that these are ‘shallow gases’ (low depth gases) which will be eliminated automatically, so the effort to extinguish the fire was stopped. However, now that the fire continues to burn even after eight days, PPL has decided to resume activity to douse the fire and determine the amount of gas.
Rescue 1122 spokesman Hassan Khan confirmed that the chemical analysis report had been shared with them, indicating the concentration of hazardous chemicals. Experts see this as a potential environmental and human health crisis, especially if nearby populations or groundwater reserves may be affected.
In terms of the underground fire, the environmentalists say the emission of these toxic gases could be fatal to human health, soil fertility and nearby water bodies, and the government needs to take immediate action.
TPL Properties, which is working on a construction project in the area, said in a report submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange that the presence of gas was encountered while digging a “test well”, and was initially termed as “biogenic methane”, a naturally occurring gas. The company argues that it is complying with all regulations related to environmental and social impact, and that they are aimed at responsible development.
Observers and environmental activists are calling the incident a possible industrial negligence. He says the tragedy would not have happened if a thorough environmental assessment had been done and precautionary measures had been taken before the excavation. Several questions remain unanswered: Did the company meet all safety requirements? Did the district administration intervene on time? Was there any protection or information given to the residents of the affected area?
According to DC Korangi, PPL will now conduct a survey with experts to find out the amount of underground gas to find out how far its reserves are spread within a radius of five kilometers. The fire fighting process will be started soon.
Experts insist that not only will extinguishing fires solve the problem, but long-term monitoring and restoration measures of affected land, water and air should also be initiated immediately.
