Mumbai, India — A significant fire broke out on the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Brahmaputra, causing the multi-role frigate to list severely and eventually rest on its port side. The incident occurred on the evening of July 21, 2024, while the ship was undergoing refit at the Mumbai naval dockyard. Despite the best efforts of the ship’s crew and firefighters from the dockyard and other nearby ships, the fire was brought under control only by the morning of July 22.
In a statement released on Monday, the Indian Navy reported the unfortunate developments surrounding INS Brahmaputra. The ship, despite numerous attempts, could not be restored to an upright position and remains heavily listed on one side at its berth.
The Navy’s statement detailed the events, explaining that “A fire had broken out onboard the Indian Naval Ship Brahmaputra, a multi-role frigate, on the evening of July 21, 2024, while she was undergoing refit. The fire was brought under control by the ship’s crew with the assistance of firefighters from the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai and other ships in the harbour, by the morning of July 22, 2024. Further, follow-on actions including sanitisation checks for assessment of residual risk of fire were carried out.”
The force acknowledged the severe impact of the incident, adding, “In the fire incident onboard the frigate INS Brahmaputra, the warship 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.”
Tragically, while most of the personnel on board were accounted for, one junior sailor remains missing. The Navy confirmed that all other personnel were safe, stating, “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 search operation for the missing sailor is ongoing, and the Navy has assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the fire and the subsequent listing of the ship. The incident has raised concerns about safety protocols and the effectiveness of emergency response measures within the naval dockyard.
The situation remains under close scrutiny, and further updates are expected as the inquiry progresses. The Indian Navy and the concerned authorities are working diligently to address the aftermath of this serious incident.
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