5 killed, several injured in a blast onboard ONGC Vesseal at Cochin Shipyard

Kochi, February 13: Today around 5 killed while several got injured in a blast at Cochin Shipyard in Kerala. A fire broke out on a ship under repair at the Cochin Shipyard Limited premises, killing three people, a CSL spokesperson informed. 

The blast took place on board Sagar Bhushan- the ship owned by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation which was under repair. Eleven persons trapped inside the ship were evacuated and rushed to various hospitals in the city, the spokesperson said.

The exploratory drillship of the public sector firm was berthed at the yard for repair and maintenance. Officials informed that the blasts occurred in the water tank of the ship.

Reports said there were two Keralites among the deceased. They were identified as Ramshad, a Vypin native, and Kevin, who hails from Pathanamthitta. Eight of those injured were admitted to the Medical Trust Hospital. Rescue efforts are on to evacuate the trapped people.

Expressing condolences over the deaths, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said that “shocked by an unfortunate blast at Cochin Shipyard where 4 people have died. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families. I have spoken to MD,Cochin Shipyard n asked him to provide all necessary medical support to victims n to initiate an immediate inquiry with help of concerned agencies.”

 

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also said that “fire force and police have been instructed for intensive rescue operations. The injured have also been directed to give immediate treatment,”