Tue Nov 12 18:44:18 UTC 2024: ## Explosion at Mathura Refinery Injures 12, 4 Critical
**Mathura, Uttar Pradesh:** A powerful explosion rocked the ABU plant at the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) refinery in Mathura on Tuesday evening, injuring 12 workers, including a manager. The blast was so intense that it was heard a kilometer away on the Agra-Delhi Highway.
According to sources, the incident occurred during testing of equipment after the plant was restarted following a shutdown. A gas leak during a cleanup operation is believed to be the cause of the blast and subsequent fire.
Four workers, identified as Ajay Sharma, Harishankar, Irfan, and Rajiv Kumar, sustained serious burns and were initially admitted to City Hospital in Mathura. Due to the severity of their injuries, they were later referred to Metro Hospital in Delhi.
The other eight injured workers received treatment at the refinery’s on-site hospital. Two workers sustained burns covering less than 50% of their bodies, while two others suffered 20% burns.
Renu Pathak, Public Relations Officer of Mathura Refinery, confirmed the incident, stating that the situation is under control. She emphasized that the blast was a “minor incident” in the Mother Unit, referred to as ABU.
The refinery was shut down for repairs and maintenance before the incident. The authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion and conducting a thorough safety audit of the plant.
First Piper 