Semarang. At least three villagers were killed and two others injured, including a toddler, after a community-operated oil well exploded and sparked a massive fire in Gandu Village, Blora Regency, Central Java, on Sunday.

The fatalities were identified as Tanek, 60, Sureni, 52, and Wasini, 50, all of whom died from severe burns, according to Agung Triyono, an official with the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD).

“Two other villagers, including a toddler, are receiving intensive care at the hospital,” Agung said on Monday.

The fire, which has yet to be fully extinguished, destroyed at least four houses and forced the evacuation of 50 families along with their livestock.

Local police spokesman Adjunct Commissioner Gembong Widodo said the explosion occurred around midday on Sunday.

“The flames immediately engulfed the drilling site as villagers fled in panic,” Gembong said, adding that at least five fire trucks were deployed to the scene. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the blast.

Indonesia is home to thousands of small, traditional oil wells -- often referred to as sumur minyak rakyat or stripper wells -- typically operated by individuals or communities rather than corporations. These wells, many of which exist in legal limbo, have long been prone to fatal accidents and environmental hazards.

In July, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia issued a regulation to legalize and regulate existing small-scale wells, which collectively have the potential to produce up to 20,000 barrels of oil per day. However, the policy explicitly prohibits new drilling operations by individuals.

The regulation was designed to bring informal operators under government oversight and curb state revenue losses from unregulated oil sales. It remains unclear whether the well in Blora was operating with the required government permit.

What Are Sumur Minyak Rakyat?
Sumur minyak rakyat -- literally “people’s oil wells” -- are small-scale, community-operated oil wells that have existed across Indonesia for decades, particularly in regions like Central Java, Sumatra, and East Kalimantan.

Origins: Many of these wells were drilled during the Dutch colonial era or in the early years of Indonesia’s oil industry. Over time, as major companies abandoned low-yield wells, local communities took over operations.

Operations: These wells are typically managed by villagers or small groups using simple, often unsafe equipment. Production is modest compared to corporate fields, but collectively they are estimated to yield up to 20,000 barrels per day.

Legal Status: For years, most operated in a legal gray area, with oil often sold to middlemen instead of state-owned energy company Pertamina. This created both state revenue losses and regulatory challenges.

Risks: The absence of oversight has led to frequent accidents, fires, and environmental damage, some of them fatal. Safety standards and environmental controls are minimal.

Government Response: In July 2025, Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia issued a regulation to legalize and regulate existing community wells under government supervision. The policy, however, does not permit new drilling by individuals.

These wells embody both opportunity and risk: they contribute to local livelihoods and oil production but also highlight urgent safety, legal, and environmental concerns.