Explosion and fire at MRPL refinery near Mangaluru leaves one seriously injured
A blast and fire at the Coker Hydrotreater unit of the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd plant near Jokatte sent thick black smoke over Mangaluru, leaving one man seriously hurt.
An explosion followed by a fire hit the Coker Hydrotreater unit of the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) plant near Jokatte, Mangaluru, on Wednesday afternoon, sending thick black smoke into the sky that was visible from several kilometres away.
The blast was reported at around 12:25pm IST. The loud boom was heard in Jokatte, Kavoor, Yeyyadi, Surathkal and Bajpe, with houses shaking and doors and windows vibrating, according to local reports. Panic spread briefly across nearby localities before rescue teams arrived.
MRPL said the cause was a rupture of a cold separator operating at high pressure in the Coker Hydrotreater unit, which triggered the fire. Police commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy CH said the affected unit’s battery limits were isolated, the unit was evacuated, and the fire was brought under control at around 2:45pm IST.
One person, Rajesh Baptist, suffered about 35 per cent burn injuries and was shifted to Srinivasa Hospital, where he is in the ICU and reported out of danger. Six others with minor injuries at an adjacent office received outpatient treatment. MRPL said there were no fatalities.
The windows of Mangaluru International Airport rattled in the blast, and airport authorities said they were carrying out visual inspections of vital installations and peripheral roads. MRPL shares fell more than 5 per cent to Rs 162.50 on the NSE in afternoon trade. Senior officials including the city police commissioner, deputy commissioner and Zilla Panchayat CEO reached the site.
Sources
- The Times of India: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/blast-inside-mangaluru-refinery-loud-explosion-like-sound-dense-smoke-reported-at-mrpl/articleshow/134585718.cms
- The News Minute: https://www.thenewsminute.com/karnataka/explosion-reported-at-mrpl-refinery-in-mangaluru-rescue-ops-underway
- Mathrubhumi (English): https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/india/blast-fire-reported-at-mrpl-unit-in-mangaluru-i6lqzone
- Daijiworld: https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=1328151
- The Economic Times: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/mrpl-shares-tumble-5-after-explosion-at-mangaluru-plant-thick-smoke-seen-from-refinery-unit/articleshow/134589058.cms?from=mdr
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