Explosion at HPCL’s Visakhapatnam refinery causes major fire

A major explosion at Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited’s (HPCL) Visakhapatnam refinery in Andhra Pradesh triggered a large fire at 9:50 p.m. on Monday, 2 November 2026.

Fire brought under control

The explosion involved a waste-oil tank in the refinery’s pitch unit. Firefighters reached the site and brought the blaze under control. No deaths were reported.

Important Facts for Exams

• Continuous processing: Oil refineries commonly run high-capacity units continuously, often at steady state for months or years rather than processing in batches.
• HPCL ownership: ONGC acquired majority control of HPCL in January 2018, making the oil-marketing and refining company a subsidiary of the state-owned explorer.
• OISD’s role: India’s Oil Industry Safety Directorate, within the petroleum ministry, formulates technical safety standards for oil and gas installations; it is not the sector’s licensing regulator.
• Petroleum pitch uses: Petroleum pitch is a carbon-rich petroleum residue used as a binder or impregnant in graphite electrodes and other carbon products.