Mangaluru: Eight people were injured in a major explosion at Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) on Tuesday afternoon, Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudhir Kumar Reddy said.
The explosion occurred at around 12.15 pm at the refinery’s Coker Hydro Treating Unit (CHTU), triggering a fire and prompting an emergency response at the facility.
Two employees injured in explosion
According to Commissioner Sudhir Kumar Reddy, two employees working in the CHTU sustained injuries in the incident.
One of the injured employees, identified as Rajesh, suffered burns over 35% of his body. He was shifted to Srinivas Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Another injured employee, identified as Baptist, is out of danger, according to doctors, the Commissioner said.
The condition of the injured employees is being monitored as treatment continues.
Six others suffer minor injuries
Six other people who were present in an adjacent office sustained minor injuries in the incident, Reddy said.
The preliminary information available with the police indicates that no women employees were present at the site when the explosion occurred. No women were among those reported injured in the incident, he added.
Fire brought under control
The explosion was followed by a fire at the Coker Hydro Treating Unit. Emergency response and firefighting teams were deployed to contain the blaze.
The fire has since been brought under control, according to the Police Commissioner.
Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation at the refinery, while further details about the circumstances surrounding the explosion are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
Senior officials visit MRPL site
Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Darshan H.V., Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudhir Kumar Reddy and Zilla Panchayat CEO Narvade Vinayak Karbhari visited the MRPL site following the incident.
The officials assessed the situation at the refinery and reviewed the response following the explosion.
An investigation into the incident is underway. Authorities are expected to examine the circumstances that led to the explosion at the CHTU and determine the sequence of events that resulted in the fire and injuries.
The latest information from the police indicates that eight people sustained injuries in the incident, with two employees among those injured and six people from an adjacent office suffering minor injuries. The fire has been brought under control, while the investigation continues.