Mumbai: The Indian Navy is reeling from a significant incident aboard the INS Brahmaputra, a guided missile frigate, which caught fire during routine maintenance at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on the evening of July 21. The fire, discovered by the ship’s duty staff, triggered a swift response from the onboard firefighting team and was bolstered by units from Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, and nearby installations.
Fortunately, no casualties were reported among the crew, but tragically, one junior sailor remains unaccounted for as search efforts continue.
“The fire onboard INS Brahmaputra was promptly addressed by our vigilant crew and the support of firefighting units from Naval Dockyard and neighboring bases. Our immediate priority remains the safe recovery of the missing sailor,” a spokesperson for the Indian Navy confirmed.
Despite efforts to contain the fire by the morning of July 22, the vessel experienced a severe listing to its port side later in the afternoon, complicating recovery efforts. Despite intensive attempts by naval personnel, the frigate has remained tilted alongside its berth.
In response to the incident, an official inquiry has been launched by naval authorities to ascertain the causes and to prevent future mishaps during maintenance operations.
INS Brahmaputra, constructed by Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipyard and Engineers, serves as the flagship vessel of its class of guided missile frigates in the Indian Navy. The vessel is currently undergoing refit at Mumbai.