Mangaluru: Blast in MRPL leaves one dead

One person died in the blast that occurred at Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) on Wednesday, September 30. 

MRPL PRO Rudolf Noronha told TNM that a man named Manish Karkada had died in the “huge fire” caused by the rupture in the oil line. He said that a total of 11 people were injured. 

Manish was a resident of Haleyangadi near Mulki. Media reported that Manish’s relatives had not been informed until late evening about his death. 

Manish’s uncle Immanuel Karunakar told the Vartha Bharathi newspaper that Manish had been working at MRPL for the past one year in electrical maintenance. He said that the family had been trying to determine Manish’s whereabouts for hours before they were finally informed by a senior colleague of Manish’s about this death. 

A loud explosion from the refinery was heard over several kilometres in Mangaluru around noon, after which a fire broke out and thick smoke rose from the refinery. Window panes of nearby buildings shattered from the impact of the blast. 

Mangaluru Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy identified the deceased as Manish Karkera (30) of Mulky, who was working on a contract basis. "His body was found in a charred condition," Reddy said.

Another worker, Rajesh Baptist, sustained 35% burn injuries and was taken to Srinivasa Hospital. Doctors said he is out of danger and is being treated in the ICU. Eight others working in an office adjacent to the unit sustained minor injuries and were treated at the outpatient department.

Fire tenders from the New Mangalore Port Authority and the fire and emergency services were rushed to the spot to assist MRPL firefighters. The fire was brought under control, and MRPL said it had been put out as of 2:47 pm.

"The blast occurred at the hydro sulphur treatment unit of MRPL. The blaze has been brought under control now," Reddy said in a statement.