A major fire erupted on the Indian Navy warship INS Brahmaputra, which was undergoing maintenance at the naval dockyard in Mumbai. The navy reported that a junior sailor is missing, and rescue teams are actively searching for him. All other personnel have been accounted for.
The fire broke out on the multirole frigate INS Brahmaputra while it was in the refit process at the Mumbai naval dockyard on the evening of Sunday. According to the navy, the ship is now lying on its side.
“… The fire was brought under control by the ship’s crew with the assistance of firefighters from Naval Dockyard, Mumbai and other ships in the harbour, by (Monday) morning. Further actions, including sanitisation checks for assessing the residual fire risk, were carried out,” the navy stated.
However, the ship began listing to one side in the afternoon. “Despite all efforts, the ship could not be brought to an upright position. The ship continued to list further alongside her berth and is presently resting on one side,” the navy added.
“All personnel have been accounted for except one junior sailor, for whom the search is in progress. An inquiry has been ordered by the Indian Navy to investigate the accident,” the statement concluded.
Commissioned in April 2000, the INS Brahmaputra is the first of the indigenously built ‘Brahmaputra’ class guided missile frigates. The ship, with a crew of 40 officers and 330 sailors, is equipped with medium range, close range, and anti-aircraft guns, surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, and torpedo launchers. It also features a wide array of sensors for comprehensive maritime warfare capabilities and can operate Seaking and Chetak helicopters.
The INS Brahmaputra has a displacement of 5,300 tonnes, a length of 125 metres, a beam of 14.4 metres, and can achieve speeds in excess of 27 knots.
