Other alternatives to deliver diesel are also available, such as using tanker."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - State-owned oil company PT Pertamina announced that Jakartas diesel supply is still secure despite oil pipeline explosion in Subang area, West Java Province, on Thursday.
"We have optimized diesel supply through another pipeline. Other alternatives to deliver diesel are also available, such as using tanker," Pertaminas Deputy Manager for External Relation Milla Suciyani reported here on Thursday.
Milla said the diesel stock in Plumpang oil station, North Jakarta, was still sufficient to fulfill peoples demands for the next 10 days.
She added that Pertamina is currently repairing the exploded pipeline, which is expected to be operational within two days.
As to the cause of pipeline explosion, Milla said police had discovered that unidentified persons had been digging soil around the exploded pipeline. Police had also found simple tools to tap on the pipeline.
"It is likely that the perpetrators had been trying to steal diesel from the pipeline by tapping into the pipe," said Milla.
Earlier, three people were reported to have been found dead in Subang, West Java, after an oil pipeline belonging to the state-owned oil company PT Pertamina exploded on Thursday.
Spokesman of West Java Police Adjunct Commissioner Martinus Sitompul stated that the explosion had occurred at around 5:48 a.m. West Indonesian Time (WIB) in Batan Desa Mandalawangi Sukasari village, Subang. Flames rising up to 50 meters could be seen at the site.
"The explosion had burnt down three semipermanent houses located about 3 kilometers from the location of the blast. The fire had killed three residents," Sitompul added.
The explosion had also injured five people, who had sustained burn injuries, and had destroyed about 55 coconut trees and a motorcycle parked nearby.
(Reported by Kelik Dewanto/translated and edited by Amie Fenia Arimbi/KR-BSR/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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