2 MRPL workers die during tank inspection at refinery

Two field operators of Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd lost their lives while on duty at the refinery’s oil movement section (OMS) on Saturday morning.  

An MRPL spokesperson said that the unfortunate incident occurred at around 8 am on Saturday. Two of field operators went on top of tank platform for checking the suspected level malfunction of tank FB7029 A (dry slop service – floating roof) in OMS area of MRPL, he said.

Both employees were found unconscious on the tank rooftop platform. They were shifted to nearby hospital after the first aid. Both these operators — Deep Chandra Bhartiya and Bijil Prasad — could not be revived and have been declared as dead, the spokesperson said.

Third MRPL field Operator — Vinayak Myageri — who went on top of the tank to rescue them has also been admitted to the hospital in Mangaluru. He is stable and under observation.

A high-level committee of Group General Managers have been constituted for carrying out a detailed investigation. Information is also being provided to all the relevant statutory authorities, the company said in a statement.

A statement by the Mangaluru Police said that a minor hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas leakage appears to have occurred and the workers happened to inhale that gas while inspecting the area as part of their regular duties, despite wearing masks. The fire and safety team of MRPL has fixed the leakage, it said.

A case will be registered based on the statements of the victims’ families or relatives, the statement said.

Published on July 12, 2025