INS Brahmaputra Severely Damaged In Fire, Resting On One Side, Junior Sailor Missing

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, on July 22.

A fire erupted onboard INS Brahmaputra undergoing refit at Mumbai's Naval Dockyard.

Source : ANI

The Indian Navy on Monday said that a fire broke out onboard the Indian Naval Ship Brahmaputra, a multi-role Frigate, on Sunday evening while it was undergoing maintenance at the naval dockyard in Mumbai.

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, on July 22 (Monday).

The warship experienced severe listing to one side after the fire and it could not be brought to the upright position, the Navy said.

"Subsequently, in the afternoon, the ship experienced severe listing to one side (port side). Despite all efforts, the ship could not be brought to the upright position. The ship continued to list further alongside her berth and is presently resting on one side," the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. 

 The Navy said a junior sailor is missing and rescue teams are looking for him. 

"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 incident," it added.

A statement of the Defence Ministry said that Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi has apprised Union Minister Rajnath Singh of the fire breakout onboard INS Brahmaputra and the damages caused by the incident. Rajnath Shing has directed the Navy Chief to take appropriate action.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi has apprised RM Shri @rajnathsingh of the fire breakout onboard Indian Naval Ship Brahmaputra and the damages caused by the incident.

RM prays for the safety of missing sailor.

— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) July 22, 2024

INS Brahmaputra is the first of the indigenously built 'Brahmaputra' class-guided missile frigate and was commissioned into the Navy in 2000, according to a report in NDTV. 

The Navy has ordered an inquiry to investigate the accident.