8 injured, three critical in major explosion at Indian Oil plant in UP’s Mathura

Eight people suffered burn injuries, with three said to be in critical condition after a major blast occured at the Indian Oil refinery in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura on Tuesday evening, officials said.
According to initial inputs, the incident occurred while restarting the Atmospheric Vacuum Unit (AVU), leading to a sudden fire that severely affected workers in the vicinity.
The intensity of the blast was so powerful that it was heard up to kilometres away.
According to Mathura Refinery’s Public Relations Officer, Renu Pathak, the fire broke out as maintenance work was being completed on the AVU unit, which had been shut down for servicing.
“Eight workers nearby were injured, with two sustaining 50 per cent burns, another two with 40 per cent burns, and the remaining four with burns covering 20 per cent of their bodies,” Pathak told India Today TV.
The injured workers were initially rushed to City Hospital. Following initial treatment, they were transferred to Apollo Hospital in Delhi for specialised care.
Relatives of the injured expressed concerns over the safety protocols at the refinery. Pushp Raj, a family member of one of the injured workers, said that his brother, a contract employee, was hurt in the blast.
Pushp described the accident as sudden and unexpected, occurring as the unit was being restarted.