MRPL Oil Refinery Blast: Tremors Felt Across Mangaluru After Massive Explosion

A massive "explosion" occurred at the MRPL oil refinery near Jokatte near here on Wednesday, September 30, local residents claimed, with houses shaking and people reporting "tremors-like" sensations. The blast occurred during the forenoon hours within the industrial complex, sending shockwaves through neighbouring settlements and rattling doors, window frames, and office buildings several kilometres away.

There were reports of a loud explosion followed by a large plume of thick black smoke that was apparently visible even from far-off places, PTI reported. The explosion reportedly occurred in the Jokatte area, where the refinery's third plant is located. A large fire and thick smoke were seen emerging from the facility, prompting emergency personnel and industrial fire crews to rush to the sector. MRPL Blast: Massive Explosion and Thick Smoke Shake Mangaluru As Refinery Fire Triggers Panic (Videos).

Blast Intensity Triggers Tremors and Shakes Buildings

The physical impact of the explosion was felt across an extensive residential and commercial belt, including Bajpe, Kalavaru, Baikampady, Jokatte, Surathkal, and Katipalla. Residents in and around the Jokatte Gram Panchayat building felt their houses shake and rushed out into the open in panic, fearing an earthquake or structural collapses.

In several structures adjacent to the industrial perimeter, glass panes in windows and doors shattered under the acoustic shockwave. The tremors were also experienced at the administrative offices of the nearby Mangaluru International Airport, where staff reported rattling fixtures during the incident.  Chhattisgarh: Boiler Blast at Vedanta Power Plant Kills 9 in Singhitarai (Watch Videos).

Smoke Billows Over Jokatte as Emergency Teams Mobilise

Following the blast, dense black smoke billowed high into the sky, remaining visible across the coastal skyline for several kilometres. The loud noise resembling an explosion was heard clearly in relatively distant localities like Baikampady and Surathkal.

Fire tenders from Mangaluru, Pandeshwar, and surrounding fire stations were dispatched to assist the refinery's internal safety units in containing the blaze and inspecting the Phase-III plant infrastructure. Local leaders reported that anxious citizens gathered near the Jokatte panchayat office seeking information on the cause of the disturbance.

However, there was no official word from the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) regarding the incident during the immediate aftermath.

Local administration officials and emergency teams have begun assessing the structural integrity of residential units close to the complex to record any cracks or property damage caused by the tremor-like vibrations. Further technical updates on the operational status of the refinery units and safety evaluations remain awaited.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 30, 2026 03:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).