One killed, four injured in blast at MRPL

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Ahmed Anwar)
October 18, 2011

Mangalore, October 18: A worker was killed and four others injured when a blast ripped through a crude oil storage tank of Phase III of the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited, where they were working.

The blast occurred around 11: 30 am at the huge tank at Bala area, when around two dozens of labourers were busy in welding, painting and other works, it is learnt.

19-year-old Munna from Orissa, who was carrying out welding work at the unit, died on the spot, while 22-year old Rahim from Bidar district sustained more than 90% burn injuries. He was busy in painting work in the same unit during the blast.

Pappu Mahto from West Bengal, Uday Kumar (26) from Bihar and Bheemanna (32) too sustained injuries. Bheemanna is admitted to MRPL Hospital.

A worker at the site revealed that the grinding work (smoothening of the tank surface) was going on and some painting work was being done nearby. Suddenly, there was a huge blast inside the tank. Munna died on the spot and Raheem sustained third degree burns, he said.

Residents said they heard a deafening sound near the cargo gate, about 1.5 km from the spot, and a pungent smell hung in the air.

However, A R Jhelki, in charge of the work site, denied there was a blast at the work site. He said the accident occurred after a spark from the grinding machine fell on paint spilled on the floor. It caught fire instantly, engulfing two and injuring two, he said.

Surprisingly, MRPL officials said nothing about an injured Bheemanna. A few workers later hesitantly informed media persons that five workers, not four, were injured in the mishap.

The workers have been working in Mangalore under Offshore Construction Company since the last one and half years.

Meanwhile, the MRPL management has remained tight-lipped about the entire episode which the local residents see as a precursor to a possible larger mishap.

Calling it a “consequence of breakdown in safety”, a resident said Tuesday's blast was the third in Phase III of MRPL in the last two-three months.

“The principal employer (MRPL) is in a hurry to commission Phase III. These incidents are to be blamed on laxity in safety,” said another resident. He said a water tank had recently collapsed at the contract labourer colony outside the refinery.

MRPL_1

MRPL_2

MRPL_3

MRPL_4

MRPL_5

MRPL_6

MRPL_7

MRPL_8

MRPL_9

MRPL_10



Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
Media Release
June 9,2020

Mangaluru: Continuing the relief work they started in the wake of the Corona Lockdown, ‘Team B-Human’ a local social organization is reaching out to the migrant workers who are stuck here in the region, unable to return to the homes.

Team of volunteers of the organization reached out to the migrant workers and distributed essential items including clothes and footwear of men, women, and kids.

Earlier, the organization had reached out to thousands of migrant workers and needy families and had helped them with food kits, Ramadan Kits along with medical assistance to many.

Several migrant workers recently moved back to their respective states, villages with their families, while others, unable to move back for various reasons are stuck here facing several difficulties and plights. The relief work by ‘Team B Human’ has helped several families of migrant workers in these distressing times.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
March 16,2020

Mangaluru, Mar 16: As a precaution against the spread of Covid-19, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) on Monday decided to cut down its premium, non-AC sleeper, Rajahamsa and express bus services from Mangaluru to Bengaluru and Kasaragod following poor patronage.

The cut down in services is as per the direction of KSRTC's Central office that wants bus services to be operated on priority.

KSRTC Mangaluru Divisional Controller S N Arun said that the corporation has decided to cut down 40 trips to Bengaluru. Concerning Kasaragod, it has reduced the number of trips from 40 to 35. "These include a reduction in services to Mysuru and Dharmasthala also," he added.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
March 7,2020

Bengaluru, Mar 7: As a precautionary measure to control the spread of coronavirus in Karnataka, the state government has planned to suspend biometric attendance for the time-being at its offices, also in corporate and IT companies, Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar said on Saturday.

He said the government has taken all precautionary measures to control the spread of the virus in the state.

"Our Additional Chief Secretary has already spoken to IT companies yesterday on behalf of the government regarding guidelines that need to be followed, it is part of it...we will do it in the government also in the days to come," Sudhakar told reporters here.

He was responding to a question about suspending biometric attendance at offices in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Asked about suspending biometric attendanceat government offices, he said, "we have planned to do it yesterday."

Sudhakar said so far in Karnataka not even one case has been identified, to that extent we have been taking precautionary measures effectively.

He said from villages to state capital Bengaluru at all levels the health department officials have been activated as part of the precautionary measures.

Also, committees headed by Deputy Commissioners have been formed in all district, he added.

"We have given certain guidelines to people. We have also included private hospitals. We have taken all precautionary measures to stop the virus from entering the state," he added.

In response to a question regarding masks, the Minister clarified that those who have the symptoms of the disease only should use them.

He said, "N95 masks are required only for those who have tested positive, there is not even a single positive case in the state so far...surgical masks that will have three layers can be used by those who have symptoms like cough, cold, fever."

In the state as a precautionary measure 2,500 beds have been kept ready if the situation arises, despite not having a single case.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.