Two explosions have disrupted oil production and left two men seriously injured in the western department of Valle del Cauca, reported local media Wednesday.
The insurgents allegedly blew up two energy towers and an oil pipeline Tuesday evening near the town of San Pedro, in the western Valle de Cauca department, leaving two men with extensive burn injuries and at least a dozen other victims with respiratory problems.
The pipeline blast reportedly occurred at 7:10 pm, followed by a raging fire with flames up to 30 feet high.
State-owned energy company Ecopetrol, which maintains the pipeline, decided to immediately suspend operations in the area and deferred to local emergency authorities.
The power station attack left two men severely burned and caused nearly a hundred residents to be evacuated, according to local fire captain Jorge Enrique Paredes. Up to three houses were also damaged.
The victims were identified as Andres Mauricio Pinilla, 25, and Jonathan Rivera, 20. Both were taken to the intensive care unit at Hospital Universitario. One of the men recorded burns throughout 70% of his body.
Early reports attribute blame to guerrilla group FARC, however a fuller investigation is expected to begin in the coming hours.