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Reports of gunfire, explosions as fire envelops Saudi Aramco facility (VIDEOS) Huge fires at Saudi Aramco oil facilities after alleged drone attacks (VIDEOS)
(37 minutes later)
Footage has surfaced online of a huge blaze ravaging what is reported to be oil giant Saudi Aramco’s facility in the country’s east. Sounds of gunfire and explosions have been reported by witnesses. Massive fires have hit two Saudi Aramco oil facilities, with dramatic footage emerging online. Riyadh says the blazes were caused by drone attacks, without naming the attacker.
A fire broke out at Saudi Aramco’s facility in the city of Abqaiq in the oil-rich kingdom’s Eastern Province on Saturday morning. Multiple videos have emerged on social media showing the compound being engulfed in flames and thick black smoke billowing from the site. The state-run Saudi Press Agency said drones caused the fire at the refinery in the city of Abqaiq in the kingdom’s oil-rich Eastern Province, which Aramco describes as the world’s largest oil processing plant, as well as the blaze at the Khurais oil field, around 150km from Riyadh.
Several loud bangs resembling the sound of explosions can be heard in the background. There have been unconfirmed reports on social media of over a dozen blasts rocking the facility. The agency did not specify the type of drones involved or name the alleged perpetrator. The fires at both sites are under control and a probe has been launched into the alleged attacks, the Saudis say.
Distinct gunfire sounds can be heard in a video allegedly filmed at a parking lot across the street from the site. Multiple videos, posted on social media earlier on Saturday, showed an Aramco compound engulfed in flames and thick black smoke billowing from the site.
It is unclear what triggered the fire, with Riyadh reportedly placing a gag order on any information about the incident pending an official statement. In some footage, several loud bangs resembling the sound of explosions can be heard in the background. There were reports of over a dozen blasts rocking the facility.
Apparent sounds of gunfire can be heard on a video allegedly filmed at a parking lot across the street from the site.
On Twitter, Saudi royal court adviser Turki Alalshikh urged netizens to not fuel speculations, denouncing social media reports as “lies and rumours.”On Twitter, Saudi royal court adviser Turki Alalshikh urged netizens to not fuel speculations, denouncing social media reports as “lies and rumours.”
“Praise to God, safe and secure... Abqaiq is well,” the official tweeted.“Praise to God, safe and secure... Abqaiq is well,” the official tweeted.
Dubai-based Al-Arabiya reported that the fire had been contained and that Saudi authorities are expected to issue a statement soon. Saudi Arabia has been accusing Iran of arming and directing the Houthi rebels in civil-war torn Yemen to launch drone and rocket attacks across the kingdom’s border. In May, armed drones caused minor damage to Aramco’s two pumping stations in the Eastern Province. While the Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, the Saudis blamed Tehran. Iranian officials denied the allegations.
Abqaiq is home to the world’s largest oil processing plant.
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