A fire broke out onboard an Indian Naval Ship Brahmaputra, a multi-role Frigate, while she was undergoing refit at at Naval Dockyard in south Mumbai on Sunday evening. A junior sailor has been missing since the mishap and search is on for him.

The fire was brought under control by the ship’s crew with assistance of firefighters from Naval Dockyard, Mumbai {ND (Mbi)} and other ships in harbour, on Monday morning After that, follow-on actions including sanitisation checks for assessment of residual risk of fire were carried out.

“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,” an Indian Navy spokesperson said on Monday evening.

“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,” the spokesperson said.

Earlier in the morning, the spokesperson had said: “An indigenous frigate was involved in the fire. The fire was brought under control and no casualties have been reported in the incident”.

According to the Navy spokesperson, the fire was detected by the ship’s duty staff while carrying out routine maintenance work onboard the ship.

“The ship’s fire fighting team immediately commenced fire fighting action and was augmented by the fire brigade from Naval dockyard, Mumbai and other units in vicinity,” the spokesperson added.