MANGALORE : The blast at the construction site of the third phase expansion works of MRPL
on October 18, Tuesday, that killed one labourer and injured four others seriously is still
shrouded in mystery with the exact cause of the blast not yet known. Though it is being said
that the mishap took place when the labourers were engaged in welding works, the facts are yet
to be out. According to one of the 25 labourers who was engaged in the work, the tank which
they were painting hotted up and there was an explosion. The in-charge officer of the Off-shore
Infrastructure Ltd, said a spark from the welding might have fallen on the paint leading to the
blast in the oil tank..
A case has been registered in Suratkal police station against the Engineers Indian Ltd. Police
inspector Belliappa said cases have also been registered against a few company officials. This is
the third major tragedy in the MRPL site since July. It may be recalled here that a labourer had
died at the same site last month.
Though MM Chauhan, General Manager of Offshore Infrastructure Ltd has said that the
company would be offering compensation to the family of the deceased labourer and other
injured as per rules, it has now been learnt that the injured labourers admitted to the Kankanady
Hospital are struggling to arrange funds for medicine and food.
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