more-in KOCHI: A technical snag during the trial run of a delayed coker unit on the BPCL-Kochi Refinery premises triggered panic among workers as well as people outside due to fear of a suspected leak of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). A company spokesperson said since the trial run had developed snag, the unit was shut down, and that the LPG in the pipeline was being burnt out. “As the unit is being shut down, the company has taken precaution by evacuating 5,000-odd workers from its various sites on the IREP campus, so that people’s safety is not compromised,” he added. Besides, refinery fire tenders were called in. “However, workers rushing out of the premises triggered rumours,” said Ambalamedu Sub-Inspector R. Madhu, who had inspected the site. No fire force personnel had entered the premises. The news of LPG leak at the refinery through social media had triggered panic, he added. Works are on at the refinery at Ambalamedu for the commissioning of the Integrated Refinery Expansion Project (IREP).

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