Two MRPL workers die in suspected gas leak; Malayali operator among victims

Mangaluru: Two field operators from Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) died on Saturday morning following a suspected leak of hazardous vapours atop a storage tank in the facility’s Oil Movement Area, officials said.

According to MRPL officials, the operators—Deep Chandra Bhartiya and Bijil Prasad—had climbed the tank platform around 8 am to check a suspected level malfunction. Both were later found unconscious on the tank roof and were first taken to the company’s first aid unit and then transferred to a nearby hospital, where they died.

A third operator, Vinayak Myageri, who tried to rescue the duo, has been hospitalised and is said to be in stable condition, officials added.

Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudhir Kumar Reddy said a case will be registered based on statements from the victims' families or relatives. He noted that the two senior operators were discovered unconscious atop the storage tank platform and were moved to Srinivas Hospital in Mukka but died during treatment.

"Preliminary information suggests a minor leakage of hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) gas, which the workers may have inhaled while checking the tank as part of their routine duties," said Commissioner Reddy. The workers were wearing masks at the time, he said.

MRPL’s fire and safety team has since sealed the leak and declared the area safe.

The deceased, Deep Chandra Bhartiya (33) from Prayagraj and Bijil Prasad (33) from Kerala, were both experienced MRPL operators. The third operator, Myageri, hails from Gadag and is reported to be out of danger, police said.

MRPL has formed a high-level committee led by group general managers to investigate the incident. Relevant statutory authorities have been informed, the company said.

The cause of the incident is yet to be officially determined and remains under internal investigation. The refinery has not commented on the possibility of a gas leak or toxic fume exposure.

(inputs from PTI)