Investigation into Mathura Refinery Fire Underway; Report Anticipated Next Week

A fire and explosion occurred at the Indian Oil Corporation refinery, injuring eight workers. This incident took place on Tuesday in the atmospheric vacuum unit, which was being restarted after maintenance. A joint committee from three institutions under the Ministry of Petroleum is investigating the cause. Their report is expected next week, officials stated on Thursday.

The investigation involves the Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD), Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), and the refinery headquarters. The report will be submitted to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas soon, according to refinery spokesperson Renu Pathak. The OISD focuses on enhancing safety in India's oil and gas sector, while PESO regulates hazardous substances like explosives and petroleum products.

Injured Workers' Recovery

Renu Pathak mentioned that the condition of the injured workers is improving. Production Manager Sameer Srivastava was discharged from Mathura Refinery Hospital on Wednesday. Contract worker Moolchand was released on Thursday after showing improvement. Other injured workers receiving advanced treatment at Apollo Hospital in Delhi and Metro Hospital in Faridabad are also recovering.

The joint committee's investigation aims to determine the cause of the explosion and fire. This committee includes experts from OISD, PESO, and the refinery headquarters. Their findings will help enhance safety measures in similar facilities across India.

The OISD acts as a self-regulatory body to improve safety standards in the oil and gas industry. PESO serves as a nodal agency for regulating safety concerning hazardous materials like compressed gases and petroleum products. These organisations play crucial roles in ensuring industrial safety.

The upcoming report will provide insights into what led to this unfortunate incident at the refinery. It will be crucial for implementing preventive measures in future operations. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas will review these findings to enhance safety protocols across refineries nationwide.