Massive Blast Occurs at IOCL Refinery In Vadodara's Koyali: 1 Dead, 2 Injured

Vadodara: A powerful blast at the IOCL refinery in the Koyali area of Gujarat's Vadodara on Monday resulted in the death of one person and injuring two others. According to the reports, several other people also received minor injuries during the explosion, which occurred in the storage tank of the refinery. The blast triggered a major fire, which engulfed the refinery resulting in a thick cloud of smoke emanating in the sky.

On information, the Vadodara district administration, the fire services and the local police rushed to the spot and initiated a rescue operation. Several fire engines were deployed at the site to control the fire.

The explosion and subsequent massive blazes created chaos in the surrounding companies and areas. The workers in the refinery were evacuated after the fire. 

According to a statement from IOCL, the fire broke out at around 3.30 pm. “Today, a fire was reported at around 3:30 pm in a Benzene Storage Tank (1,000 KL capacity) at Gujarat Refinery. The refinery’s emergency response team is actively tackling the situation, with firefighting operations currently underway. The adjacent water sprinkler system has been activated to contain the fire, and dousing efforts are ongoing. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained,” read the statement.

Officials added that between 6 pm and 8:30 pm, sounds of two more explosions were reported from inside the refinery.

DCP Traffic Police Jyoti Patel said, "Rescue operation is going on in the refinery. We have no information on any serious injuries or fatalities in the incident. We will know about the fatalities as the operation proceeds. Traffic movement on the route is minimal so we did not have to do any diversions."

Further details regarding the incident are being awaited.