An explosion and subsequent fire occurred at the Coker Hydrotreater Unit of Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) in Mangaluru, Karnataka, India, on September 30, 2026. MRPL reported that a high-pressure cold separator ruptured at about 12:20 local time, resulting in a fire.
One contract worker was killed and nine people were reported injured. The affected unit was isolated at its battery limits and the fire was completely extinguished by 14:47. MRPLs emergency response and firefighting teams were deployed to the affected area.
The blast caused nearby buildings to shake, with some windows and roof tiles shattered. Police are investigating the circumstances leading to the cold separator rupture.
