Mangaluru refinery blast triggers fire, 7 injured

A blast followed by a major fire at the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) refinery in Jokatte near Mangaluru on Wednesday left one employee with around 35 per cent burns and seven others with minor injuries.

The incident occurred around noon at the refinery's Coker Hydrotreater (CHT), or Hydro Sulphur Treatment, Unit. Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy said the explosion was followed by a major fire, which was later brought under control.

The injured employee, identified as Rajesh Baptist, suffered burns to around 35 per cent of his body. He was shifted to Srinivasa Hospital and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Doctors said he is out of danger.

Six other people working in an office adjacent to the affected unit suffered minor injuries. They were provided medical attention and treated on an outpatient basis.

According to MRPL officials, the incident occurred after a cold separator operating at around 70 bar pressure ruptured inside the Coker Hydrotreater unit. The rupture triggered the fire, following which the battery limit of the unit was immediately isolated.

Firefighting operations were launched and the affected unit was evacuated, officials said. The fire was brought under control, while cooling operations were expected to continue for some time.

An MRPL spokesperson earlier said there was a massive fire inside the unit but that the company could not immediately confirm whether an explosion had taken place.

“There was no suspicious activity from outside, and the fire may have been caused by an internal issue,” the spokesperson said, adding that personnel were working to bring the fire under control.

Authorities later said the exact cause of the separator rupture would be determined through a detailed investigation.BLAST HEARD ACROSS NEARBY AREAS

The incident triggered panic in several areas surrounding the refinery. Residents of Katipalla, Kana, Bajpe, Angaragundi, Kulai, Jokatte and nearby localities reported hearing a loud blast, followed by thick black smoke rising from the MRPL premises.

Some residents also reported that window panes were damaged at a few locations following the blast. Authorities, however, said there was no immediate cause for major concern and that the situation was being monitored.

Fire tenders from the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) and Karnataka Fire and Emergency Services were rushed to the refinery following the incident. Firefighters worked to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the facility.AIRPORT CONDUCTS SAFETY INSPECTION

Following advice from the Dakshina Kannada district administration, Mangaluru International Airport conducted a visual inspection of critical installations and peripheral roads as a precautionary measure.

The inspection included the Precision Approach Lighting Category-I system and other vital airport infrastructure to ensure that operations remained unaffected.

Senior police and district officials were present at the site as emergency teams dealt with the incident.

Authorities said the situation was under control and that further details would emerge after the investigation into the cause of the separator rupture is completed.- Ends