Mangaluru MRPL fire: One seriously injured, several others hurt after high-pressure unit rupture
A fire broke out at a high-pressure unit of Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) in Mangaluru on Wednesday after a cold separator in the Coker Hydrotreater Unit ruptured, triggering an explosion and thick smoke.
MRPL said its emergency response and firefighting teams brought the blaze under control after isolating the affected unit. Fire tenders from the New Mangalore Port Authority and Fire and Emergency Services also responded to the incident.
The company initially reported one minor injury and said the person was out of danger. However, subsequent reports said one employee, identified as Rajesh, suffered burns covering about 35% of his body and was being treated in an ICU. Six to seven other people reportedly sustained minor injuries.
The exact cause of the separator rupture is yet to be established and will be determined through a detailed investigation. Authorities have said there is no immediate cause for major concern, while MRPL urged people inside and outside the refinery premises not to panic.
MRPL, a subsidiary of state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), operates a 15-million-tonne-a-year refinery in Mangaluru.
Reports said the blast was heard across parts of Mangaluru, with thick smoke visible from the refinery. Some nearby areas also reported damage to windows and structures following the blast.
with inputs from PTI
