Full Breakdown
Blast and Fire at Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd. (MRPL)’s Coker Hydrotreater Unit
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Core Incident
On September 30, 2026, an explosion was reported from the Coker Hydrotreater (CHT) unit of MRPL in the Jokatte area of Mangaluru. The blast triggered a fire that produced a dense plume of black smoke and shattered windows in nearby residences and at Mangaluru International Airport. Police and fire-rescue teams arrived promptly and, according to the police commissioner, had the fire under control by early afternoon.
Timeline
- ? 12:15 pm – Explosion heard across several kilometres; thick smoke observed.
- ? 12:30 pm – Fire services engaged; cold-separator rupture reported by MRPL.
- ? 2:47 pm – Police statement confirmed fire extinguished and battery limits isolated.
- Afternoon-Evening – Market reaction and safety inspections at the airport initiated.
Data & Statistics
- Fatalities: One contract worker, Manish Karkera (30) of Mulky, was found dead (Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy).
- Injuries: Reports vary between eight and nine injured persons. One worker, Rajesh Baptist, sustained burns covering roughly 35 % of his body and was treated in the ICU at Srinivasa Hospital.
- Share price impact: MRPL shares fell as much as 10 % from the day’s high of INR180.75, touching a low of INR162.40 before partially recovering (CNBC-TV18; Livemint; Business Today).
Official Statements & Responses
- MRPL Chief General Manager Rudolph V Noronha said the cold separator operating at about 70 bar ruptured, prompting isolation of the unit’s battery limits and deployment of emergency teams.
- Deputy Commissioner Darshan HV noted that twelve individuals were initially reported injured and that “further details and official statements regarding the incident are awaited from the MRPL management.”
- MP Capt Brijesh Chowta appealed for calm, stating “All necessary precautions are being taken, and I appeal to the public not to panic.”
- Mangaluru International Airport conducted a visual inspection of critical installations after windows in its administrative office rattled.
On-the-Ground Reports
Residents of Jokatte, Katipalla, Kana, Bajpe, Angaragundi, Kulai and surrounding villages reported hearing a deafening boom, feeling tremors, and seeing shattered glass panes. A crowd gathered near the Jokatte Gram Panchayat office amid fear and confusion.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Injury count: Some outlets list eight injured persons, others report nine.
- Cause description: Initial reports cited a “boiler explosion,” while MRPL later attributed the event to a “cold separator rupture” at high pressure.
- Casualty wording: A few sources claim “no casualties,” contradicting police confirmation of one death.
- Victim name spelling: The deceased is named Manish Karkera in police statements, while other reports use Manish Karkara.
- Investigation status: No definitive cause has been established; authorities have launched a probe but details remain pending.
Market Impact
The incident prompted an immediate sell-off in MRPL equity. Shares dropped over 10 % from the intraday high, reflecting investor concern over operational disruptions and safety liabilities. The stock later recovered modestly, closing the session down 1.43 % from the previous close.