Australia's Fuel Crisis Deepens

A massive fire broke out late Wednesday at Viva Energy's Geelong refinery, which produces approximately 10% of Australia's total fuel supply.

While emergency crews worked for 12 hours to extinguish the blaze, the facility's output has been significantly reduced, threatening to drive up petrol prices by as much as 20 cents per litre in some regions.

This industrial disaster occurs as Australia is already struggling with global supply disruptions caused by the naval blockade in the Middle East.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed the government is using new powers to secure emergency diesel shipments to bolster national reserves.