Massive fire at Indian oil depot claims over 5 lives

At least five people have died and 150 have been injured in an oil depot fire in the western Indian state of Rajasthan, Indian media reported.

MOSCOW, October 30 (RIA Novosti) - At least five people have died and 150 have been injured in an oil depot fire in the western Indian state of Rajasthan, Indian media reported.

Reports on the death toll vary, with Sify News stating 10 dead.

The fire broke out at the depot, which stocks gasoline, kerosene and diesel fuel for state-owned oil companies, on Thursday evening. The exact cause of the blaze is still unknown. Flames could be seen from a distance of over 15 km away.

Some 35 firefighting teams have been sent to the area. However, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora has said there is no option but to let the fire burn out on its own.

"You cannot stop the fire. All the fuel in there has to burn out...when there is such a huge fire all safety measures prove inadequate," he told journalists.

People living near the depot have been evacuated.