KUWAIT CITY, Nov 6: Kuwait on Thursday commemorated the 34th anniversary of extinguishing the last oil well set ablaze by the invading Iraqi forces — a milestone that ended one of the gravest environmental and economic catastrophes in modern history.

The final blaze, located in the Burgan oil field in the Ahmadi region, was extinguished in November 1991 under the patronage and in the presence of the late Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may God have mercy on him. The event marked a national victory and symbolized the culmination of extraordinary efforts by Kuwaiti specialists and international teams who worked tirelessly for months to extinguish the fires and contain their devastating consequences.

The tragedy of the oil well fires began on February 21, 1991, as Iraqi forces retreated from Kuwait, setting ablaze a total of 737 wells across the country’s main oil fields, including Ahmadi, Burgan, Al-Maqwa, Al-Manaqish, and Al-Wafra. These areas also witnessed the formation of massive “oil lakes,” posing severe threats to human health and the environment.

The inferno released vast quantities of smoke and flames that filled the skies, while explosions at oil gathering centers and export terminals fueled the destruction. Thick soot settled across the country, blanketing buildings and vegetation, devastating animal and plant life, and plunging Kuwait into darkness. The temperature dropped by four degrees Celsius, causing the death of numerous marine species.

Kuwait lost between four and six million barrels of crude oil per day during the fires, with daily financial losses estimated at around USD 120 million — excluding environmental and health impacts. The destruction of oil facilities required years of rehabilitation, while the economic repercussions rippled through global markets for more than seven months.

The environmental effects of the fires extended beyond Kuwait’s borders. Smoke plumes reached Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran, Oman, and even parts of Central Asia. “Black rain,” laden with oil and toxic gases, fell across several regions, underscoring the magnitude of the disaster.

Despite limited experience, the Kuwaiti firefighting team earned global admiration for its courage and determination, successfully extinguishing 41 wells. More than 10,000 personnel from 27 international teams took part in the firefighting operations. Their combined efforts helped douse the flames and restore stability to Kuwait’s vital oil sector.

Following liberation, Kuwait launched comprehensive efforts to rebuild its oil industry. Specialized committees were formed to assess damages, devise solutions, and ensure the continuity of oil exports to global markets. Environmental scientists and experts from around the world visited Kuwait to study the aftermath, while conferences and seminars were organized internationally to discuss lessons learned and future preventive measures.

The initial reconstruction plans for the oil sector had two main objectives: extinguishing the burning wells as rapidly as possible and restoring selected wells and surface facilities for early production. Kuwait contacted around 30 international companies specializing in the restoration of fire-damaged oil infrastructure, selecting several with proven expertise to take part in the operations.

The well-extinguishing campaign involved an extraordinary deployment of resources — 5,800 pieces of equipment and vehicles — forming the world’s second-largest non-military fleet and the largest ever assembled in a single location.

Today’s commemoration stands as a testament to Kuwait’s resilience, unity, and determination to overcome adversity, reflecting the nation’s enduring commitment to safeguarding its natural resources and rebuilding its future from the ashes of destruction.