May 26, 2011 [NetIndia] - At least three people were killed and five others injured in a powerful blast at a major crude oil storage project being set up by the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISRPL) at Kalavarpadavu near Bajpe on the outskirts of the city.
Officials confimed three deaths in the incident.
Preliminary report said the blast occurred following a fire, which broke out at the project site, in the Mangalore Special Economic Zone, when some construction work was being carried out on the underground caverns.
Police and fire fighters rushed to the spot and have launched rescue operations, the officials said.
Four of the injured, who have been admitted to Mangala Hospital in the city here, were identified as Sheikh Abdul Gani (31), who is a safety engineer; Shivanath Chavan (35), Vikram Das and Lawrence Pereira (32). Another injured has been admitted to AJ Hospital.
The 1.5 MMT capacity project, which is being implemented in an 83 acre area, is expected to be completed by next year.
ISPRL is a subsidiary of the Oil Industry Development Board of India.
