Archive · 1 Oct 2026
MRPL Refinery Explosion Kills One, Injures Eight; Police Register FIR
A large explosion happened at an oil refinery near Mangaluru.
One worker died and eight people were hurt.
One injured person was reportedly in critical condition.
MRPL said a high-pressure piece of equipment ruptured and caused a fire.
Firefighters and emergency teams worked to control the blaze.
The fire was extinguished after about two and a half hours.
The blast was strong enough to damage nearby houses and a church.
Police opened a criminal case against two MRPL officials.
The case will examine whether machinery and safety procedures were properly maintained.
One person was killed and eight others were injured in an explosion at the MRPL refinery near Jokatte, Mangaluru.
The deceased was identified in the report as contract worker Manish Karkada, while an earlier police account named him Manish Karkera.
MRPL said a high-pressure Cold Separator ruptured in the Coker Hydrotreater Unit, causing a fire that was extinguished after 2.5 hours.
The blast damaged nearby homes and a church, shattered windows and roof tiles, and was heard up to 10–12 kilometres away.
Surathkal police registered a case against the Coker Hydrotreater Unit head and MRPL’s top management under negligence-related provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- Who
- One refinery worker died, eight people were injured, and police named the Coker Hydrotreater Unit head and MRPL’s top management in the case.
- What
- A high-pressure equipment failure and resulting fire caused a major explosion at the refinery; police subsequently registered an FIR.
- When
- The incident occurred on Wednesday at around noon, with the complaint specifying approximately 12:15 PM.
- Where
- The explosion occurred in the Coker Hydrotreater Unit of MRPL’s third plant near Jokatte, in the Mangaluru area of Karnataka.
- Why
- MRPL attributed the fire to the rupture of a high-pressure Cold Separator, while the complaint alleged that inadequate maintenance and safety oversight caused the disaster.
Police Complaint and Allegations
MRPL’s Account
Cause of the incident
Police Complaint and Allegations
The complaint alleged that mechanical equipment failed and burst because unit heads and management did not ensure proper maintenance and safety of high-pressure machinery.
MRPL’s Account
MRPL said a Cold Separator operating at high pressure ruptured in the Coker Hydrotreater Unit, resulting in a fire.
Nature of the event
Police Complaint and Allegations
The complaint described a massive explosion that caused severe burns and physical trauma to workers at the site.
MRPL’s Account
MRPL referred to the event as a fire incident and said its emergency response and firefighting teams controlled the blaze.
Accountability
Police Complaint and Allegations
Police booked the unit head and MRPL’s top management under negligence-related provisions following a complaint from an injured worker and a catering-company owner.
MRPL’s Account
MRPL’s statement focused on the equipment rupture, isolation of the affected unit, firefighting response, and medical care for the injured.
- Deaths
- One person died; the body was recovered after firefighting and inspection operations.
- Injuries
- Eight people were injured, and one was reported to be in critical condition.
- Company
- Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL).
- Affected unit
- Coker Hydrotreater Unit, Phase 3.
- Fire duration
- MRPL said the blaze was extinguished after 2.5 hours.
- FIR
- Surathkal police registered FIR No. 132/2026.
- Legal provisions
- The case cites Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 287, 125(b), and 106.