54 houses, 8 shrines hit after explosion

Mangaluru: Severe structural damage, widespread anxiety and pressing demands for safety, and accountability now weigh on local communities after the recent industrial explosion at the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) complex.

The blast’s shockwaves produced extensive physical damage across multiple surrounding villages, striking dozens of residential homes and religious places of worship. Village-wise reports put the figures at 25 homes and 5 places of worship with severe damage in Jokatte, 19 homes and 3 places of worship with structural harm in Kalavaru, and 10 homes with noticeable damage in Bala Village. Cracked walls, shattered window panes and compromised building integrity were what residents reported from the affected neighbourhoods.

Police have registered a formal case concerning potential safety protocol failures at the refinery. MRPL management and local residents are currently holding high-level discussions to coordinate relief measures and to settle compensation claims for the properties that were damaged. Late on Wednesday night, district in-charge minister U T Khader visited the affected areas and assured the people there about the relief measures being worked out.

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The Hans India