A sudden safety incident occurred at the Hordiya Refinery in West Bengal, India, when oil thieves maliciously sabotaged an on-site oil pipeline. Naphtha leaking from the damaged pipeline ignited, triggering a massive fire. The naphtha blaze ultimately left 20 workers injured. To contain the emergency and identify potential hazards, the refinery has suspended all operations. The fire triggered a dual environmental crisis affecting both the atmosphere and the soil and water. The burning naphtha continuously released sulfides and various volatile toxic fumes, which rapidly engulfed nearby towns. PM2.5 concentrations in the area skyrocketed within a short period, causing air quality to deteriorate sharply. In addition, a large amount of naphtha leaked from the fire site before it could burn completely. Seeping through cracks in the ground, it continues to contaminate the soil and shallow groundwater surrounding the plant, posing a long-term threat to the local soil and water ecosystem.
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