While the United States has an available gas supply, the United Kingdom faces a severe gas shortage, causing panic and disruption. People are lining up at gas stations to secure fuel, with some resorting to unsafe methods like filling plastic water bottles with gasoline, posing serious risks.

The shortage is affecting daily life, preventing people, including doctors and nurses, from commuting to work. Many are working from home, and schools may return to online learning due to the crisis.

Gavin Rabbitt, a witness, expressed disbelief at a woman filling water bottles with fuel, highlighting the dangerous consequences of such actions.

The shortage results from factors like shut-in North Sea oil platforms and refinery explosions. Rationing gasoline for motorists and emergency measures, including deploying generators for essential users, have been implemented. The UK’s Prime Minister is engaging with EU leaders to address the crisis.

To cope, some use apps to monitor rising petrol prices, but fuel availability remains a significant challenge in many areas, with numerous gas stations dry or limited in supply.