150 Indians trapped in Kazakh oil field are safe: MEA

Nursultan (Astana): All the 150 Indians trapped in Tengiz, the biggest oil field in Kazakhstan where violence broke out between workers are safe, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). There are several Keralites among the Indian citizens. The Indian government had intervened in the issue after it emerged that several countrymen were affected by the violence.

According to reports, foreign and local workers started a pitched battle from Saturday noon leaving around four people injured. The injuries are not of serious nature. The safety of Indian citizens will be ensured, said the MEA.

Earlier, Keralites trapped in the oil field had told Manorma News that there was no way to escape from the spot.

A photo showing a foreign worker with a local woman labourer that was circulated in the social media groups of Libyan workers had led to the tension. The Libyan labourer later apologized over uploading the picture but the situation continued to be tense. The local workers, constituting 80 per cent of the staff, cornered the migrant labourers and launched an attack.

The Indians were caught in this fight between labourers. At the same time, the Kerala government held discussions with the Indian embassy seeking ways to rescue the Indians, including Keralites. NORKA officials spoke to the embassy based on the instructions issued by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The embassy has been asked to ensure the safety of Indians and provide their details.

A helpline desk was also opened by the embassy based on a directive from Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan.