Libya declares maximum emergency after drone strike destroys fuel tank | Watch

A major fuel storage tank at Libya’s Zawiya oil refinery caught fire and collapsed after a suspected drone strike, prompting the country’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) to declare a state of maximum emergency.

The strike hit Tank 402-T, operated by the Brega Petroleum Marketing Company, at the Zawiya oil complex, located about 45 kilometres west of the capital Tripoli. The tank held around 4.5 million litres of gasoline.

The attack triggered a large fire that engulfed the storage tank and eventually caused it to collapse. Emergency crews and firefighters battled the blaze through the night, while teams focused on cooling nearby storage facilities to prevent the flames from spreading across the refinery complex.

Authorities said there were no reports of major fatalities. A small number of personnel were treated by emergency responders, mainly for smoke inhalation.

Fire threatens vital oil infrastructure

The NOC said the incident posed a serious threat to critical energy infrastructure in the area and called for immediate national intervention. It also urged authorities to launch a comprehensive investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible for the attack.

The Zawiya refinery is one of Libya’s most important oil facilities and has a refining capacity of about 120,000 barrels per day. Any prolonged disruption could affect fuel supplies and distribution in the region.

Firefighters worked to contain the blaze and protect other fuel storage units from catching fire. The focus remained on preventing the incident from developing into a larger industrial disaster.

Series of attacks on Zawiya complex

The latest strike comes after a series of incidents targeting the strategic facility in recent days.

On Saturday, a drone struck an untreated naphtha storage tank at the refinery, resulting in a hazardous fuel leak. Engineers were able to contain the leak, according to authorities.

Further strikes over the weekend reportedly damaged a nearby water desalination facility that supplies the surrounding community and supports industrial operations.

The attack on Monday, however, caused the most serious damage so far, destroying the large gasoline storage tank.

Libya’s House of Representatives’ Energy and Natural Resources Committee condemned the attacks, describing them as a criminal assault on a key part of the country’s national economy.

Security concerns grow

The attacks have added to concerns over security around Zawiya, an area that has experienced periodic clashes between rival armed groups and political factions.

Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah held an emergency security meeting in Tripoli with military commanders and Interior Ministry officials following the latest incident. He ordered authorities to take measures to strengthen security around critical national infrastructure and prevent further breaches.

The NOC has warned that continued attacks on the refinery could force a wider suspension of operations. A prolonged shutdown could also disrupt fuel distribution networks and potentially lead the corporation to declare force majeure in affected areas.