Mangalore, September 30 (Daily Kiran) : A powerful explosion occurred at the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) in Karnataka on Wednesday, resulting in a fire that injured eight people. Fortunately, the blaze has been extinguished, according to Police Commissioner Sudhir Kumar Reddy.
Among the injured, two individuals sustained serious injuries. One of them, identified as Rajesh Baptiste, was inside the plant at the time of the incident. He suffered burns covering approximately 35% of his body and has been admitted to Srinivas Hospital, where he is currently in the ICU. Doctors have reported that he is out of danger.
Additionally, six other individuals, who were in a nearby office, experienced minor injuries and received treatment at an outpatient department.
Following the explosion, the Police Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, and other senior officials arrived at the scene. Reddy reassured the public, stating, “There is no cause for major concern. We will manage the situation.”
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud bang from the MRPL complex, followed by flames and thick smoke rising into the sky. The explosion occurred in the hydro-treating unit of the Phase-3 plant.
The blast was so intense that vibrations were felt in nearby homes, and windows and doors were shattered, causing panic among local residents. Injured individuals were promptly taken to a nearby private hospital for care.
The explosion ignited a fire in the unit’s boiler section, which generated heavy smoke throughout the area. Emergency response teams from MRPL arrived quickly, and fire engines from the city were also summoned to assist in controlling the fire. It was later reported that the flames were successfully contained.
Videos of the incident have circulated on social media, gaining significant attention. However, the cause of the explosion and the extent of the damage remain unclear.
The explosion’s impact was felt in the nearby Jokatte area, where residents reported that the doors and windows of the local Gram Panchayat office and surrounding homes were rattled, with some glass breaking.
The situation is still developing as authorities continue to assess the aftermath of the explosion.
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