A loud blast was heard, followed by a fire at the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) refinery at Kuthethoor, north of Mangaluru in Karnataka, on Wednesday, 30th September. The explosion occurred at around 12.25 pm at the Coker Hydrotreater (CHT) unit, triggering panic in nearby areas.
Officials have not yet confirmed the exact nature or cause of the explosion. Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy CH said the fire had been brought under control.
#WATCH | Karnataka | Smoke seen emerging from Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) facility in Mangaluru; Fire brigade vehicles and ambulances rush to the spot pic.twitter.com/7qT52ysRp2
— ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2026
Eight people were injured in the incident. Six people suffered minor injuries in an adjacent office at the plant and were taken to the OPD for treatment and medical checks. One person, Rajesh Baptist, suffered around 35% burn injuries and was shifted to Srinivasa Hospital for treatment. Doctors said he is out of danger and is undergoing treatment in the ICU.
Mangaluru | Eight people were injured after there was a major blast followed by a fire in the hydro sulphur treatment unit. One injured person, identified as Rajesh in the plant premises, was shifted to Srinivasa Hospital for treatment. He is out of danger. CP, DC and CEO are… https://t.co/iGR1AiX7HP
— ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2026
Blast heard across several areas
The explosion caused concern among residents in areas close to the refinery, including Jokatte, Kavoor and Yeyyadi. Residents said they heard a loud boom and felt the impact of the blast.
The impact was felt at the Jokatte gram panchayat building and nearby houses. Some residents said doors and windows shook, and some were dislodged. Thick smoke was also seen rising from the refinery area after the incident.
Mangaluru, Karnataka: A massive explosion occurred at the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) premises. The blast shook nearby buildings and houses, while thick black smoke was seen rising from the refinery unit. pic.twitter.com/Ne3up2L7KE
— IANS (@ians_india) September 30, 2026
The sound of the blast was heard in Angaragundi, Baikampady industrial area and Kulai as well. It was also heard in areas around Mangaluru International Airport, several kilometres from the refinery.
Following the incident, MRPL’s emergency response team and fire and emergency services personnel were rushed to the site. Fire tenders from Pandeshwar and Kadri fire stations, along with a fire vehicle from the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA), also reached the refinery.
Airport, officials monitor situation
On the advice of the district administration, Mangaluru International Airport began a visual inspection of vital installations in and around the airport, including its Precision Approach Lighting Category 1 systems and peripheral roads, to check their operational readiness.
Senior officials, including the City Police Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Zilla Panchayat CEO, visited the spot. Officials said there was no major cause for concern and that the situation was under control.
Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta said he had spoken to officials and was closely monitoring the situation. “Following the blast reported at the MRPL facility, I have obtained information about the incident from the concerned authorities and was in constant touch with MRPL officials, the police commissioner, Bajpe Town Panchayat and the Fire and Emergency Services Department,” he said.
Chowta said safety operations were being expedited and local hospitals had been asked to remain prepared for any emergency. He appealed to people not to panic and urged them to avoid spreading rumours or unverified information.
