Explosion at Indian shipyard kills five workers

Five workers were reportedly killed and at several others were seriously injured following an explosion at an Indian shipyard.

According to reports by Indian news agencies, the explosion happened at the Cochin Shipyard on Tuesday morning as a ship that was being repaired there caught fire.

Indian daily newspaper, The Hindu, reported on Tuesday that the fire broke out in a ballast tank of the ONGC-owned drillship Sagar Bhushan, which has been dry-docked at the yard for maintenance work for nearly two months.

Quoting an unnamed official, The Hindu further said that the minor fire outbreak was brought under control immediately but the fumes hampered rescue operations.

India’s Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Nitin Gadkari, said in a tweet posted on Tuesday: “Shocked by unfortunate blast at Cochin Shipyard where 4 people have died. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families.”

Reuters reported on Tuesday that, “All people trapped in the ship have been evacuated. The situation is under control now.”

Offshore Energy Today has reached out to Cochin Shipyard seeking confirmation and further details about the incident. The shipyard was not immediately available for comment. 

Cochin Shipyard was incorporated in the year 1972 as a fully owned Government of India company.

Offshore Energy Today Staff