Today, one of the warships of the Indian Navy caught fire while undergoing maintenance at the naval dockyard located near Mumbai. Rescue personnel are searching for a junior sailor who went missing, according to the navy. The navy reported that every other member of the staff is safe.
The multirole frigate INS Brahmaputra was having a refurbishment on Sunday night when a fire broke out on board, according to the navy. The ship is now lying on her side.
“… The fire was brought under control by the ship’s crew with assistance of firefighters from Naval Dockyard, Mumbai and other ships in harbour, by [Monday] morning. Further, follow-on actions including sanitisation checks for assessment of residual risk of fire were carried out,” the navy said in a statement.
The navy said that subsequently, in the afternoon, the ship started listing to one side. “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 said.
“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 navy said.
The first guided missile frigate of the ‘Brahmaputra’ class to be built in India is the INS Brahmaputra. In April 2000, it was commissioned into the Indian Navy. There are 330 sailors and 40 officers on board the ship.
The vessel is equipped with torpedo launchers, surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, medium-range, close-range, and anti-aircraft cannons. The ship can operate Seaking and Chetak helicopters and is equipped with a broad range of sensors that cover every aspect of maritime combat.
With a displacement of 5,300 tonnes, 125 metres in length, 14.4 metres in beam, and a top speed of almost 27 knots, the INS Brahmaputra is a formidable vessel.
