A fire broke out on the Indian Navy warship INS Brahmaputra yesterday evening, causing significant damage to the vessel. A sailor has gone missing in the incident. The fire occurred while the ship was undergoing maintenance at the Mumbai dockyard. Officials have stated that efforts are underway to locate the missing junior sailor. Following the fire, the ship began listing to one side. Firefighters quickly responded to the scene and managed to control the blaze. However, efforts to stabilize the listing ship have been unsuccessful so far. The Navy has confirmed that all crew members, except the missing junior sailor, have been rescued, and a rescue operation for the sailor is ongoing.
The Navy has ordered an investigation into the incident. This recent mishap adds to a series of similar incidents over the past 11 years, with three ships sinking. In 2013, INS Sindhurakshak, and in 2016, INS Betwa, both sank. INS Brahmaputra, the first ship in its class of guided missile frigates, was inducted into the Navy in April 2000. The ship houses 40 officers and 330 sailors and is equipped with mid-range, close-range, anti-aircraft guns, surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, and torpedo launchers. It has advanced sensors capable of surveillance from all angles at sea and can operate Sea King and Chetak helicopters. The warship weighs 5,300 tonnes, is 125 meters long, and can travel at a speed of 27 nautical miles.
