Explosion and fire at MRPL refinery injure seven, smoke seen across Mangaluru
A blast at the CHT unit of Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd caused a fire, injuring seven people and sending thick smoke over the city.
A sudden blast at the CHT unit of Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd's Hydro Sulphur Treatment Unit ignited a fire that has since been brought under control. The incident injured seven individuals: Rajesh Baptist, who sustained burns covering roughly 35% of his body and remains in the ICU, and six office workers with minor injuries who were treated on an outpatient basis. The explosion produced a loud boom heard several kilometres away, shaking houses in Jokatte and Surathkal and rattling windows at Mangaluru airport.
Police commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy CH, the deputy commissioner, and the Zilla Panchayat CEO inspected the site, while the district administration ordered safety checks at the airport. MP Capt Brijesh Chowta stayed in contact with refinery officials and urged the public to remain calm and avoid spreading misinformation.
