MRPL Explosion Impact: Over 50 Houses and 8 Places of Worship Damaged in Jokatte, Kalavaru, and Bala

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Mangaluru : The massive explosion and subsequent fire that erupted at the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) complex on Wednesday afternoon has caused widespread structural damage across surrounding villages. The blast occurred in the Coker Hydro Treating Unit (CHTU) within the facility’s third unit, where a large number of local workers were on duty, leaving nine people injured, as confirmed by the Mangaluru Police Commissioner.

The shockwaves generated by the blast severely impacted neighboring residential areas and religious structures. According to ground estimates, a total of 54 houses have suffered damage—including 25 homes in Jokatte, 19 in Kalavaru, and 10 in Bala. Additionally, eight places of worship, comprising five in Jokatte and three in Kalavaru, reported structural damages. In affected areas such as Kalavaru and Charchigudde, window panes were completely shattered, doors were knocked off their hinges, and deep cracks appeared on house walls due to the intensity of the shock.

The sudden blast and massive plumes of smoke created an atmosphere of extreme panic among local residents. Following the incident, emergency response teams rushed to the site to contain the fire, while police personnel managed crowd safety. Heated arguments broke out between agitated locals and police officials at the scene; however, law enforcement authorities urged the public to remain calm and cooperate without blocking roads to ensure smooth emergency operations.