Loud blast heard from Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals premises, boiler explosion suspected

A thick plume of smoke seen emanating from the MRPL premises following a blast, as observed from the Mangaluru Airport exit point on September 30, 2026. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement A loud blast was heard from the premises of Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd., (MRPL) and thick smoke was seen emanating from the refinery premises even as window panes of nearby buildings got shattered on Wednesday (September 30, 2026) forenoon.It is being said that one of the boilers in the refinery premises exploded causing the blast and resulting in the smoke. Communist Party of India (Marxist) Dakshina Kannada District Committee Secretary Muneer Katipalla said the blast appears to have occurred in MRPL Phase III. Buildings in and around Jokatte, including the gram panchayat building, witnessed tremors even as window panes of these buildings shattered because of the blast.A loud blast was heard from the premises of Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd and thick smoke was seen emanating from the premises on September 30 forenoon. Cause of the blast is said to be a boiler explosion in the refinery.✍🏻@anilkumarsastry🎥: Spl arrangement pic.twitter.com/eNin5TIWCt— The Hindu-Bengaluru (@THBengaluru) September 30, 2026An official from Mangaluru International Airport said the blast was heard at the airport, too. Window panes of the administrative office rattled due to the blast. People in Angaragundi, Baikampady, Kulai and surrounding areas too experienced the loud sound and tremors, residents said.The district administration and the police are yet to find out the reasons and details of the blast even as fire tenders from New Mangalore Port Authority and fire and emergency services in the city have rushed to MRPL to combat the fire.More details awaited. Published - September 30, 2026 01:21 pm IST