Manish Karkara, 30, of Mulky who was working on a contract basis died in the blast.
The explosion, which occurred at noon on Wednesday, September 30, happened in the CHT (Hydro Sulphur Treatment) Unit, said Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy. A fire quickly followed the blast, which firefighters were able to bring under control.
MRPL officials said the incident occurred after the cold separator operating at around 70 bar in the Coker Hydrotreater unit ruptured, triggering the fire. The battery limit of the unit was immediately isolated and firefighting operations launched. Workers were able to evacuate the affected unit. Officials said the fire was under control, though cooling operations were continuing throughout the rest of the day.
The blast triggered panic in several surrounding localities. Residents of Katipalla, Kana, Bajpe, Angaragundi, Kulai, Jokatte and nearby areas reporting a deafening sound. It then ended up followed by thick black smoke rising from the refinery, according to a published report. Some residents claimed window panes shattered at a few places.
Fire tenders from the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) and the Fire and Emergency Services rushed to the refinery and brought the situation under control.
Authorities said there was no cause for major concern. The cause of the incident remains under investigation.
Black smoke billowing from the direction of the MRPL complex at Jokatte.
Source: New Indian Express