The coastline of Tomakomai, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan, after a tsunami advisory was issued following an earthquake, April 20, 2026, in this photo taken by Kyodo. Photo: Kyodo/via REUTERS

A fire broke out in a refinery-cum-petrochemical complex in Rajasthan’s Baltora district on Monday (April 20, 2026), a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi was to inaugurate it. While there is no official confirmation of the incident, videos of the fire show it is within the refinery complex itself. The refinery is operated by the public sector oil marketing company Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL).

Japan issued a special advisory on Monday (April 20, 2026) warning of an increased risk of earthquakes at magnitude 8.0 or stronger, after a powerful jolt rattled the country’s north and prompted a tsunami warning. The Japan Meteorological Agency said in a statement that “the likelihood of a new, huge earthquake occurring is relatively higher than during normal times.”

Published - April 20, 2026 06:24 pm IST