Local media reported, citing eyewitnesses in the town of Brod, that the explosion hit the oil refinery at around 21:30 local time (19:30 GMT).
Video footage made by local residents and published by local media showed major fire at the plant. There were no immediate reports on casualties or people injured.
“[Late on Tuesday,] there was a strong explosion at the Brod oil refinery. All fire brigades are at the scene. The blast injured several employees,” the town’s Mayor Ilija Jovicic was quoted as saying by the RTRS broadcaster.
In turn, the director of the town’s hospital Zoran Predojevic said that at least eight people were injured as a result of the incident.
“Eight victims arrived. Medical care is being provided to them,” he said without elaborating on the severity of the injuries.
The Brod plant is located in Republika Srpska. It is the only oil refinery in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is controlled by Russia’s state-owned Zarubezhneft oil company.
