A malfunction at an Isfahan refinery caused a leakage of cooling water from its generators - the latest in a string of mysterious mishaps in Iran in the past few months. A power outage was created as a result and a state of emergency was declared at the refinery, the Iranian Mehr news agency reported.

According to the report, one person was injured and taken to hospital. Various eye-witnesses reported seeing flames and thick smoke covering the area. The report stated that workers burned off the excess oil and gas in pipes to prevent a blast in the site. Traffic to the site was blocked and all phone lines were disconnected to prevent an explosion.

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The Isfahan refinery is the second largest in Iran. A local oil company official said that the situation was under control and that the malfunction would be repaired within several hours. He denied that a fire had broken out.





Human chain outside Isfahan uranium facility (Photo: EPA)

A senior employee at the refinery denied there was a blast, explaining that the flames and smoke seen in the area were caused due to the burning of excess materials in the pipes. He explained that power had been cut off due to safety reasons.

Iran ranks second in the world in work accidents. Last week, a blast at a steel factory in Yazd left at least 18 dead.

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