Two fires at oil refineries in Europe overnight: what is known about the consequences.

According to inkorr.com: On the night of October 20 to 21, two serious fires occurred at oil refineries in Europe. Both incidents took place at facilities processing Russian oil or belonging to Russian companies.

Fire in Hungary

The first fire broke out at Hungary's main oil refinery MOL in the city of Százhalombatta. The fire engulfed a crude oil distillation unit. As of Tuesday lunchtime, firefighters had managed to contain the flames, the AP agency reports.

This plant is the only major oil refinery in Hungary that predominantly works with Russian oil supplied via the 'Druzhba' pipeline. Witnesses noted that flames and smoke were visible for several kilometers around.

The MOL company reported implementing emergency protocols and damage assessments are ongoing. The company's management emphasizes ensuring domestic fuel supplies and is considering the use of strategic reserves.

Incident in Romania

A fire also occurred at the Petrotel-Lukoil oil refinery in Ploiesti, which is owned by the Russian company 'Lukoil'. According to the publication DiGi24, an explosion happened at the plant, which was under repair. The annual capacity of the Romanian refinery is 2.5 million tons. As a result of the incident, a 57-year-old worker was injured and taken to the hospital.

The causes of both fires are currently unknown and are under investigation. An assessment of the situation and safety measures at these facilities could impact oil supplies in the region, as both plants play a critical role in the energy infrastructure of their countries. The situation also highlights the potential risks associated with using Russian resources in Western countries, which are currently seeking alternatives to reduce dependence on Russian energy supplies.