Massive Blast At Mathura Oil Refinery Injures 12, Flames Visible From Several Kilometres

Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion followed by flames shooting up from the refinery. Videos surfaced on social media showed flames visible from several kilometres away.

The explosion was heard between 8.30 pm and 9.00 pm.

Source : PTI

A massive explosion took place in Indian Oil Corporation's refinery on the Agra-Delhi National Highway in Mathura on Tuesday night, injuring 12 people. Videos surfaced on social media showed flames visible from several kilometres away. 

मथुरा उत्तर प्रदेश स्थित रिफाइनरी में लगी भीषण आग, कई लोगों के हताहत और आग में फंसे होने की आशंका 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨@Uppolice @mathurapolice @CMOfficeUP pic.twitter.com/chbACnstut

— Asif Ahmad 🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@Asif_Lucknawi) November 12, 2024

Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion followed by flames shooting up from the refinery. About 12 people were injured in the incident, Senior Corporate Manager Renu Pathak said. The management of the refinery has ordered a probe to determine the cause of the explosion, she said.

A fire broke out after an explosion in the Atmospheric Vacuum Unit (AVU) of the main plant, which was being restarted after a month-and-a-half shutdown for maintenance work, she said. Eight workers sustained burn injuries, five of whom received immediate treatment at the refinery's medical facility. Three of the more seriously injured workers were transferred to Delhi's Apollo Hospital, the official statement read.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | Mathura ABU plant explosion | Renu Pathak, PRO, Mathura Refinery, says, "There was a minor fire in our ABU plant...8 people suffered minor burn injuries...Three people have been referred to Apollo Hospital and five people have been sent to refinery… pic.twitter.com/X6Y6EThPtj

— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2024

The explosion was heard between 8.30 pm and 9.00 pm, refinery police station Inspector Sonu Kumar said, adding that they initially attempted to control the fire internally and once they managed to contain the blaze, they informed the local authorities. Traffic on the highway in front of the refinery was temporarily halted.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to ensure quality treatment is given to the injured persons. The incident comes a day after a blast in a benzene storage tank of an Indian Oil refinery in Gujarat's Vadodara. Two people were killed and an IOCL official received injuries in the fire.