Explosive Incident at Mangaluru MRPL Facility Triggers Emergency Response Amid Billowing Smoke

MANGALURU, KARNATAKA — A high-pressure blast followed by a major fire rocked the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) complex on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 sending dense plumes of black smoke into the air and triggering widespread alarm across nearby communities.

The incident occurred around noon when a high-pressure cold separator ruptured inside the refinery’s Coker Hydrotreater Unit. The force of the explosion generated a deafening shockwave heard several kilometers away, rattling doors and windows in neighboring districts like Jokatte and Surathkal, as well as at the administrative offices of Mangaluru International Airport.

On-site emergency crews and regional firefighting units—including teams from the New Mangalore Port Authority and local stations—rapidly deployed to contain the blaze and isolate the affected processing unit.

During the blast, multiple workers sustained injuries, including one employee who suffered significant burns across approximately 35 percent of his body and was admitted to the intensive care unit at a local hospital in stable condition, while several others received outpatient treatment for minor injuries sustained in adjacent offices. In response, MRPL’s internal safety teams immediately isolated the unit's battery limits and evacuated personnel, successfully bringing the fire under control before it could spread to neighboring refinery infrastructure.

"The affected unit was immediately isolated and personnel were evacuated. Emergency response and firefighting teams brought the fire under control."— MRPL Official Statement

Senior officials, including the Mangaluru City Police Commissioner and district administration leaders, arrived at the site to oversee security operations and assess the damage. Authorities assured the public that there was no lingering hazard to surrounding residential zones and urged local residents to remain calm.

While operations in the specific hydrotreater unit were halted due to the damage, company representatives confirmed that the remainder of the refinery complex continues to operate normally. Technical teams and safety inspectors have launched a formal investigation to examine the exact cause of the equipment rupture.