Mangaluru, September 30: A major blast and fire were reported at the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) facility near Jokatte on Wednesday afternoon, triggering widespread panic in the area as thick black smoke billowed into the sky.
The explosion occurred at around 12:20 PM in the plant’s Hydro Sulphur Treatment (CHT) unit, located approximately 15 kilometres from Mangaluru city, according to local reports. The loud boom was heard several kilometres away in regions including Angaragundi, Surathkal, Kulai, and the Baikampady industrial belt, while rattling windows at the nearby Mangaluru International Airport. Local residents said that the shockwaves shook their houses, damaging doors and windows in several residences as well as the nearby Jokatte Gram Panchayat library.
Incident Details and Emergency Response
Emergency response teams, including internal fire tenders from MRPL and units dispatched from the New Mangalore Port Authority, Kadri, and Pandeshwar, rushed to the site to contain the blaze. According to Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy CH, the fire has since been brought under control.
One refinery worker, identified as Rajesh Baptist, sustained approximately 35% burn injuries and was transferred to the ICU at Srinivasa Hospital, where medical staff confirmed he is out of danger. Approximately six to eight other individuals in an adjacent office building sustained minor injuries and received outpatient medical care. As a precaution, the nearby MRPL DPS School declared a holiday after the explosion. There have been no reports of casualties yet.
Senior administrative officials, including Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner H.V. Darshan, Zilla Panchayat CEO Narwade Vinayak Karbhari, and Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy, arrived on-site to inspect the facility and coordinate safety protocols.
Official Statements and Precautionary Measures
Local authorities and company officials assured the public that the immediate danger had passed and urged citizens to refrain from spreading unverified rumors.
In an official public appeal, MRPL confirmed that the fire was successfully controlled and stated that there were no fatalities. Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta stated he was in contact with refinery executives and emergency personnel, advising nearby hospitals to remain on standby while officials perform safety audits. Additionally, administrative teams at Mangaluru International Airport initiated visual inspections of vital installations—including Precision Approach Lighting systems and peripheral roadways—to verify operational safety following the shockwave.
