Mangaluru: Rajesh D’Silva, who sustained critical burn injuries in an explosion at Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) on September 30, died at a private hospital in Mangaluru on Saturday, October 17. He had been undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit since the incident.
Rajesh was a resident of Kana in Idya village near Surathkal and had reportedly been working at MRPL on a contract basis for several years. His death comes 17 days after the explosion at the refinery’s Coker Hydro Treating Unit (CHTU) plant in Phase 3.
The incident had claimed the life of another worker, Manish, a resident of Haleyangadi, who died at the spot. Rajesh suffered severe burn injuries and was rushed to a private hospital, where he received treatment.
Second death following September 30 explosion
The explosion occurred on September 30 at the Coker Hydro Treating Unit in Phase 3 of the MRPL facility. While Manish died at the scene, Rajesh was critically injured and admitted to the intensive care unit of a private hospital in Mangaluru.
Despite medical treatment, Rajesh succumbed to his injuries on Saturday. His death marks the second fatality linked to the incident.
The circumstances surrounding the explosion and the details of the incident remain significant following the deaths of the two workers. Rajesh’s reported contractual employment at the refinery has also brought attention to the workers affected by the accident.
Body to be shifted for post-mortem
According to police sources, Rajesh’s body was scheduled to be shifted to Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru on Saturday evening for a post-mortem examination. The body would subsequently be handed over to his family for the final rites.
The post-mortem examination is part of the formal procedures following his death. Further details regarding the investigation into the explosion were not available in the information provided.
Family loses unmarried son
Rajesh was one of the five children of Baptist D’Silva. The family comprises two sons, including Rajesh, and three daughters. He was unmarried, according to reports.
His death has left the family mourning the loss of a son who had reportedly been working at MRPL for several years.
The September 30 explosion had already taken one life, and Rajesh’s death after more than two weeks of treatment adds to the toll from the incident. His body was expected to be handed over to the family after the post-mortem examination at Wenlock Hospital.