- Explosion at MRPL's high-pressure unit in Surathkal.
- Nine people injured, hospitalised after the blast.
- Blast shook nearby houses, thick smoke seen.
Mangaluru Refinery Blast: At least nine people were injured after an explosion at a high-pressure unit at Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) in Karnataka’s Surathkal on Wednesday following a rupture of a cold separator in the Coker Hydrotreater Unit. The injured were taken to a nearby hospital.
#Breaking
— SULAKSHAN. V. L / ಸುಲಕ್ಷಣ್.ವಿ.ಎಲ್ (@Sulakshanvl) September 30, 2026
📍MRPL Mangalore #mangalore #mrpl #fire #padubidre #news pic.twitter.com/45Zhmbjh4F
Videos emerged on social media showing thick black smoke emerging from Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd facility. Fire brigade vehicles and ambulances rushed to the spot. HT reported that the explosion was so intense that it shook the nearby houses.
Dakshina Kannada’s deputy commissioner Darshan HV said nine people have been injured in the incident, adding that emergency response teams have rushed to the spot.
A blast and fire were reported at MRPL’s Coker Hydrotreater Unit in Mangaluru, with thick smoke seen from the facility. MRPL said the fire was brought under control; injuries have been reported, with details still being assessed.#MRPL #mangaluru #breaking #news pic.twitter.com/queWgx5jRP
— suddifirst (@suddifirst4) September 30, 2026
Darshan HV, along with police commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy and Zilla Panchayat chief executive officer Narwade Vinayak Karbhari, visited the spot to review the relief operations. Several glass panels and windowpanes were broken after the blast, said locals living near the facility.
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What Company Said After The Incident
The affected unit has been isolated and PL's emergency response and firefighting teams brought the fire under control, the company said in a statement.
"Fire has been brought under control," PL said, adding that firefighting operations may continue for some time as part of the safe handling of the incident.
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The company said it was closely monitoring the situation, with personnel safety and the facility as its highest priority. "There is absolutely no reason to panic for individuals within and outside PL premises," the company said.
PL, a subsidiary of state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) that owns and operates the 15 million tonnes a year oil refinery, said it would share further verified information as it becomes available.
(With Agencies Inputs)