Blast and fire at Mangaluru MRPL plant: 8 injured, blaze brought under control
Synopsis
A powerful explosion tore through MRPL's Phase-3 Coker Hydro Treating Unit in Mangaluru on 30 September, shattering glass in nearby homes, injuring eight people — one with 35% burns — and sending smoke billowing into the sky. The fire has been contained, but the cause remains under investigation.
Key Takeaways
A blast and fire struck MRPL's Phase-3 Coker Hydro Treating Unit (CHTU) in Mangaluru, Karnataka on 30 September 2026 .
Eight persons were injured — two seriously and six with minor injuries treated on an outpatient basis.
Rajesh Baptist , who suffered burns to 35% of his body, is admitted to the ICU at Srinivasa Hospital and is reported out of danger.
The explosion shattered glass panes in nearby homes and was felt in the adjacent locality of Jokatte .
The fire has been brought under control; the exact cause and extent of damage are yet to be determined.
Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy and the Deputy Commissioner were present at the site.
A major explosion, followed by a fire, struck the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) facility in Mangaluru, Karnataka, on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, leaving eight persons injured. The blaze has since been brought under control, Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy confirmed.
What Happened at the MRPL Plant
The blast originated in the Coker Hydro Treating Unit (CHTU) of MRPL's Phase-3 plant, according to local accounts. A fire subsequently broke out in the boiler section of the unit, sending thick plumes of smoke high into the sky. Personnel from MRPL's in-house fire and emergency services, along with city fire tenders, rushed to the scene and worked to contain the blaze.
The explosion was powerful enough to send vibrations across surrounding neighbourhoods. Residents in adjacent areas reported shattered glass panes in windows and doors, and panic spread through the locality. The impact was also felt in Jokatte, which borders the MRPL premises, where doors, windows, and glass panes at the Jokatte Gram Panchayat office and nearby homes reportedly rattled or broke.
Injuries and Medical Update
Of the eight injured, two suffered serious injuries. One of them, identified as Rajesh Baptist, was present inside the plant at the time of the blast and sustained burn injuries to approximately 35 per cent of his body. He has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Srinivasa Hospital; doctors have stated he is out of danger. The second seriously injured person was also shifted to a private hospital for treatment.
The remaining six individuals, who were in an adjacent office at the time, sustained minor injuries and were treated on an outpatient basis, Commissioner Reddy said.
Official Response on the Ground
Senior government and law enforcement officials, including Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy and the Deputy Commissioner, were present at the site shortly after the incident. Addressing concerns about the situation, Commissioner Reddy said, 'There is nothing of major concern. We will take care.'
This comes amid growing public anxiety in the surrounding areas, where videos of the explosion and the rising smoke column circulated widely and reportedly went viral on social media.
Cause and Extent of Damage Still Under Assessment
The exact cause of the blast has not yet been established, and the full extent of damage to the plant infrastructure is still being assessed, according to officials. MRPL is a prominent public sector refinery and is among the key petroleum processing facilities on India's western coast. Notably, this type of industrial fire incident at a major refinery draws attention to broader questions of safety protocols and emergency preparedness at large-scale petrochemical units.
Further details are expected to emerge as investigators examine the CHTU unit and as officials complete their assessment of structural damage to the facility.
Point of View
While operationally critical, carry significant industrial safety risks that periodic audits do not always prevent. The blast's impact — felt across residential neighbourhoods and strong enough to shatter glass in a gram panchayat office — signals an intensity that cannot be dismissed as a contained industrial mishap. With the cause unascertained and full damage yet to be assessed, the official assurance that 'there is nothing of major concern' may be premature. Industrial safety regulators will need to scrutinise whether CHTU operations at MRPL's Phase-3 plant were following prescribed maintenance and emergency protocols.
NationPress
30 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the blast at MRPL in Mangaluru?
The exact cause of the explosion at Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd has not yet been established. The blast originated in the Coker Hydro Treating Unit (CHTU) of MRPL's Phase-3 plant, and investigators are still assessing the cause and extent of damage.
How many people were injured in the MRPL blast?
Eight people were injured in the blast. Two sustained serious injuries and six others in an adjacent office suffered minor injuries and were treated on an outpatient basis.
What is the condition of Rajesh Baptist, the most seriously injured person?
Rajesh Baptist, who was inside the MRPL plant when the explosion occurred, suffered burn injuries to approximately 35% of his body. He is admitted to the ICU at Srinivasa Hospital and doctors have stated he is out of danger.
Has the fire at the MRPL refinery been brought under control?
Yes. MRPL's in-house fire and emergency services, along with city fire tenders, responded quickly and brought the blaze under control. Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy confirmed the fire was contained.
Which areas around MRPL were affected by the explosion?
The impact of the blast was felt in residential neighbourhoods surrounding the MRPL facility, as well as in Jokatte, an area adjacent to the plant. Glass panes in windows and doors of homes and the Jokatte Gram Panchayat office were reportedly shattered by the force of the explosion.
