Mangaluru, September 30: A major blast followed by a fire struck the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) facility in Mangaluru, Karnataka, on Wednesday. Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy said authorities brought the blaze under control.
Two people suffered serious injuries. Rajesh Baptist, who was inside the plant, sustained burns across about 35 per cent of his body. Doctors admitted him to Srinivasa Hospital’s ICU. He remains out of danger.
Six others suffered minor injuries inside an adjacent office. They received outpatient treatment and underwent medical check-ups.
The Police Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and other senior officials reached the location soon after the incident. “There is nothing of major concern. We will take care,” the Police Commissioner said.
Locals reported hearing a powerful explosion at the MRPL facility. Flames and dense smoke rose high above the plant. The blast occurred at the Coker Hydro Treating Unit (CHTU) in MRPL’s Phase-3 plant.
The explosion caused vibrations in nearby homes. Glass panes in doors and windows reportedly shattered, spreading fear among residents.
A fire broke out in the unit’s boiler section after the blast. MRPL fire and emergency teams, supported by city fire tenders, rushed to the site and worked to contain the flames.
The impact reached Jokatte, next to the MRPL premises. Doors and windows at the Jokatte Gram Panchayat office and nearby houses rattled. Some glass panes broke.
Videos of the incident have surfaced on social media and are reportedly going viral. Authorities have yet to establish the exact cause of the blast or assess the full extent of the damage. Further details remain awaited.
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