Niger: 'Oil projected over 10 meters high,' an 'exceptional' eruption turns into disaster

An eruption of crude oil and gas occurred on September 25 in northeastern Niger, causing an environmental incident of exceptional severity. The eruption at Goumeri W8, operated by CNPC Niger Petroleum S.A, projected oil over 10 meters high, with a black tide spreading over hundreds of meters. Two workers were hospitalized with injuries, but no deaths were reported. As of October 12, the situation remains partially contained but not fully controlled, and an independent investigation, with Algerian expertise, has been launched to determine the causes, ruling out criminal or terrorist motives.