Rumaila production reduced after explosion

BASRA - Oil production from Iraq's largest producing Rumaila oil field will be temporarily curtailed as a result of the accidental explosion and eight-hour fire at a degassing station near the Kuwaiti border Tuesday.

At least 15 people were sent to the hospital, though the Oil Ministry says no one was killed in the blast. Earlier reports from officials were that as many as eight people died, including the crane operator unearthing corroded equipment, a statistic which the Oil Police still stands by.