A major gasoline reservoir caught fire and collapsed at Libya’s Zawiya oil refinery after an alleged attack by unknown perpetrators. The incident occurred on Monday in Zawiya, west of Tripoli. Authorities said the damaged reservoir contained around 4.5 million litres of gasoline.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about the security of Libya’s vital energy infrastructure. Officials have also called for an investigation into the attack.
Gasoline Tank Targeted at Major Libyan Refinery
The damaged reservoir belongs to Brega Oil Company and is located at the Zawiya refinery. The refinery ranks among Libya’s largest oil processing facilities. It has a refining capacity of around 120,000 barrels per day.
The National Oil Corporation (NOC) said the attackers directly targeted tank 402-T.
“This evening, tank number 402-T, belonging to the Brega Oil Company and used for storing gasoline, was directly targeted, resulting in a severe fire before the tank completely collapsed,” the NOC said in a statement.
Firefighters immediately began efforts to control the blaze. Brega Oil Company also started cooling nearby tanks to prevent the fire from spreading.
“cooling operations are underway for adjacent tanks to prevent the fire from spreading”.
Emergency Response Begins After Fire
The NOC declared a state of emergency following the incident. Officials also called for an investigation to determine who carried out the attack. Libya’s emergency services agency said there were no serious casualties. Most of the cases treated by emergency workers involved smoke inhalation.
Meanwhile, firefighters continued efforts to contain the blaze and protect nearby infrastructure. Authorities remained particularly concerned about adjacent storage tanks. A fire spreading to other reservoirs could have created a much larger emergency at the refinery.
Previous Attacks Raise Security Concerns
The NOC said the latest incident followed other attacks in Zawiya in recent days. Two drone attacks reportedly targeted a naphtha reservoir and a water desalination plant over the weekend. The repeated incidents have increased concerns about security around strategic facilities in the city.
Libyan authorities have therefore faced renewed pressure to strengthen protection around oil installations and other critical infrastructure.
Parliament Calls for Stronger Oil Facility Protection
A Libyan parliamentary committee condemned the attack and called for stronger security measures around oil facilities.
“The House of Representatives’ Energy and Natural Resources Committee condemns in the strongest terms the criminal attack targeting the Zawiya Refinery, one of the most vital facilities in the oil and gas sector that is a cornerstone of the national economy,” it said in a statement.
The committee described the refinery as a vital part of Libya’s national economy. The attack could therefore have consequences beyond the immediate damage. Any prolonged disruption at the refinery could affect fuel supplies and energy operations.
Libya Remains Politically Divided
The attack comes as Libya continues to face deep political divisions. Libya holds Africa’s largest oil reserves. However, the country has remained divided since the 2011 conflict that led to the ouster of former leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Two rival administrations continue to compete for power. The UN-recognised government operates from Tripoli under Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah. A rival administration operates in eastern Libya with backing from military commander Khalifa Haftar.
The political division has complicated efforts to maintain stability across the country. It has also created challenges for protecting important energy facilities.
Dbeibah Orders Security Review
The Tripoli-based government said Dbeibah met key officials on Monday to discuss the latest security situation. The meeting included the interior minister and chiefs of several armed groups operating in the capital. The government said the meeting focused on monitoring recent security developments.
Dbeibah “stressed the need to deal firmly with any transgressions or actions that threaten security or harm vital facilities and installations”.
The latest attack has once again highlighted the vulnerability of Libya’s energy infrastructure. With the Zawiya refinery playing an important role in the country’s fuel system, authorities now face pressure to prevent further attacks.
The immediate priority remains containing the damage and protecting nearby tanks. However, a wider investigation will be crucial to determine how the attack occurred and who was responsible.
Strengthening security around oil facilities could become increasingly important as Libya seeks to protect its energy sector amid continuing political instability and repeated threats to critical infrastructure.
