Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd: Two Die, One Hospitalised
Another operator who attempted to rescue them has been hospitalised and is out of danger. It is suspected that they had inhaled leaking hydrogen sulphide gas
Mangaluru: Two field operators died after they had gone to check a tank at the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) on Saturday morning. Another operator who attempted to rescue them has been hospitalised and is out of danger. It is suspected that they had inhaled leaking hydrogen sulphide gas.
The deceased have been identified as Deep Chandra Bhartiya from Prayagraj and Bijil Prasad from Kerala, said to be experienced field operators.
According to a statement from MRPL, at around 8 am on Saturday Bhartiya and Prasad went on top of the tank platform for checking the suspected level malfunction of tank FB7029 A (technically called dry slop service - floating roof) in the oil movement area. They were later found unconscious on the tank rooftop platform. They were given first aid and shifted to a nearby hospital, where they were declared dead. Vinayak Myageri who climbed the tank to rescue his colleagues was also affected and was taken to a hospital.
“Minor H2S gas leakage appears to have been there and the workers happened to inhale that gas while checking it as part of their regular duties while wearing masks. The leakage is fixed by MRPL fire and safety team and they said it is clear now,” police said in a statement.
MRPL has constituted a high-level committee to conduct a detailed investigation. It said statutory authorities had been informed, and the company has assured full cooperation.
