A junior sailor is missing after a fire broke out onboard INS Brahmaputra, Indian Navy’s multi-role frigate, on Sunday evening when the ship was undergoing a maintenance at the naval dockyard in Mumbai.
The rescue teams have launched a search for the sailor while the Navy has ordered in investigation into the accident.
The Navy said the fire was brought under control by Monday morning, but the warship experienced severe listing to one side (port side). Despite all efforts, the ship could not be brought to the upright position, it said.
“The ship continued to list further alongside her berth and is presently resting on one side. 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 in a statement.
It further informed that the fire was brought under control by the ship’s crew with the help of firefighters from Mumbai Naval Dockyard and other ships in the harbour.
“Further, follow-on actions including sanitisation checks for assessment of residual risk of fire were carried out,” the force said.