Fire on INS Brahmaputra: Damage to be assessed, search for missing sailor continues
Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, the deputy commander of the Indian Navy, said on Tuesday that the Indian frigate INS Brahmaputra, which tipped on its side after a fire broke out on board, can be righted and the damage will be assessed.
He said the sailor who disappeared after the fire on Sunday has been seen off the ship and a search is underway for him.
The Navy had said in a press release that a fire broke out on board the multi-role frigate on the evening of July 21 while the ship was being overhauled at the Naval Dockyard Mumbai. The fire was brought under control on Monday morning by the ship’s crew with the help of firefighters from the dockyard and other ships in the port.
The vessel was listing severely to one side (port) and could not be righted despite all efforts, the report said.
Speaking to PTI in Vasco in South Goa, Vice Admiral Swaminathan said, “It is a sad incident but the Navy will look into it. Whatever corrective measures need to be taken, they will definitely be taken.”
A lot of water was used to extinguish the fire and it is possible that the stability of the ship has been affected. The ship has tilted to one side and is now on the jetty, he said.
“The ship can very well be righted again once the water is pumped out, and we can do a damage assessment,” he said.
Asked about the sailor who disappeared after the incident, the vice admiral said: “We don’t know where the sailor is. He was seen coming out of the ship. The search is on for him.
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First print: Jul 23, 2024 | 3:52 PM IST