Rumours Fuel Panic Buying of Petrol in Suburbs

Chennai: A large number of people flocked to oil depots in the suburbs of Chennai from midnight on Wednesday following rumors that oil depots would be closed without stock and prices would be increased due to the ongoing war in the Middle East.

From Tambaram to Madurantakam and areas along the Chennai-Tiruchy national highway, Old Mahabalipuram Road and East Coast Road, people went to petrol depots and waited in long queues. Apart from filling their vehicles’ petrol and diesel tanks, they also purchased large water canisters and bottles of petrol and diesel, despite the government’s unwavering instruction that petrol and diesel should not be filled in bottles and jerry cans.

Rumors that petrol depots were out of stock and would be closed from Thursday morning spread on Wednesday, with people queuing up outside the petrol depots with their two-wheelers and cars to fill up the tanks. Rumors were circulating on social media that gasoline and diesel prices would double due to the ongoing war.

People, including those sleeping at home, immediately started running towards the gas tanks and called their friends on their mobile phones, telling them to be careful and refuel their vehicles. As the rumors spread like wildfire throughout the night, citizens emptied their water canisters, grabbed as many bottles and cans as they could, rushed to the bunkhouses and joined the huge queues. Those returning from their workplaces at night queued up without even going to dinner.

According to safety rules, people should not be given gasoline or diesel in cans or bottles, but people also filled their bottles and cans with fuel for future use. Some of the gas depot operators did not point out the rules because the public appeared tense and angry. Citizens gathered in the bunk beds where the operators refused to give fuel in bottles and cans, started arguing with the staff and threatened the employees to give fuel in bottles and cans.

Due to panic buying, many bunk beds went out of stock and closed in the afternoon, leaving people flocking to nearby bunk beds. Those who reached the bunk beds in the evening went without fuel because they did not have gasoline. Police said they were investigating people who spread the rumors Wednesday night.