Mangaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 1 (ANI): Karnataka Minister UT Khader has directed Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) to provide maximum compensation to the family of a worker who died in an explosion at the refinery and offer a permanent job to his brother.
According to a press release, Khader, who is the District In-charge Minister for Dakshina Kannada, visited the MRPL facility after the incident and inspected the site where the explosion occurred. He also held discussions with district administration officials, police personnel and MRPL officials regarding the incident.
“I have directed MRPL to provide maximum compensation to the family of Manish Karkera, who died in the tragedy, and to provide a permanent job in MRPL to his brother,” Khader said.
The minister later visited the hospital and met the family members of Karkera, offering his condolences.
As per the press release, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has directed that a high-level inquiry be conducted into the incident. A team of officials from the Union Ministry of Petroleum is also expected to arrive in Mangaluru to investigate the explosion.
The incident occurred at the MRPL facility on Wednesday when an explosion followed by a fire was reported in a processing unit. One worker, Manish Karkera, died in the incident, while several others sustained injuries.
Khader described the incident as “very sudden and shocking” and said the Chief Minister had immediately taken note of the situation and sought updates.
“The CM called me again to enquire about the incident. I informed him about the situation, and he has appointed a senior officer to conduct an inquiry and find out the actual cause behind this incident,” he said.
Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy said eight people were injured after a major blast followed by a fire in the hydro sulphur treatment unit. One injured worker, identified as Rajesh, was shifted to a hospital and was reported to be out of danger.
Emergency teams, including fire personnel, responded to the incident and brought the situation under control. (ANI)
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