INDIA – One dead and nine injured following explosion and fire at MRPL refinery in Mangaluru
A major incident at the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) facility in Jokatte, near Mangaluru, has left one person dead and nine others injured after an explosion and fire broke out at the refinery on Wednesday.
Emergency crews were quickly deployed to the site after the blast, with fire tenders from the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) and Fire and Emergency Services assisting with firefighting operations. The affected section of the refinery was evacuated, while the battery limit of the unit was isolated as a precaution.
MRPL later confirmed that the fire had been brought under control, although cooling operations were expected to continue for some time.
The incident occurred in the refinery’s Coker Hydrotreater (CHT) Unit. According to MRPL officials, a cold separator operating at approximately 70 bar ruptured, triggering the fire. The exact circumstances behind the rupture have yet to be established and will be examined as part of a detailed investigation.
One of the workers killed in the incident was identified as 30-year-old Manish Karkara, a contract worker and resident of Mulky. His body was recovered from the affected area in a severely charred condition.
Nine other people were injured. MRPL employee Rajesh Baptist suffered burns covering approximately 35% of his body and was transferred to Srinivasa Hospital, where he was admitted to the intensive care unit. Doctors subsequently reported that he was out of danger.
Seven people working in an office adjacent to the affected unit also sustained minor injuries. They received treatment on an outpatient basis.
The explosion was heard in several communities around the refinery, including Katipalla, Kana, Bajpe, Angaragundi, Kulai and Jokatte. Residents described hearing a powerful blast before seeing thick black smoke rising from the refinery. Reports also indicated that window panes were broken at some locations.
The incident prompted precautionary measures beyond the refinery itself. Following advice from the Dakshina Kannada district administration, Mangaluru International Airport carried out visual inspections of key infrastructure, including its Precision Approach Lighting Category-I system and peripheral roads, to verify that operations remained unaffected.
Authorities have said the situation is under control and that there is no wider cause for concern. Further investigation will determine what caused the high-pressure separator to rupture and led to the subsequent fire.
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