One crew member succumbs to burn injuries after oil tanker catches fire off Gujarat coast
Another crew member was injured in the blaze on board the MT Genessa off the Deendayal Port in Kandla.
A fire broke out on a merchant navy oil tanker off the Gujarat coast on Wednesday evening. One of the two crew members who suffered burn injuries in the incident died in hospital, said Gujarat Defence Spokesperson Abhishek Matiman, according to the Hindustan Times.
The Indian Coast Guard had evacuated all the 26 crew members on board.
“The fire has been doused but smoke is still coming out from hot spots,” Matiman said. “The operation is still on to cool down hotspots to prevent any mishap or further damage.”
The fire on the MT Genessa, anchored 15 nautical miles off the Deendayal Port in Kandla, was brought under control in overnight operations. Officials said there was no oil spill, after testing the water around the tanker. The vessel was carrying 30,000 tonnes of high-speed diesel.
#IndiaCoastGuard fire fight still on. 03 ICGVessels, 09Tugs frm KPT,Reliance,Essar,Adani & ICG Dornier in action.Water sampling shows no Oil Spill.ICG Pollution Ctrl Vessel at site.Proactive response frm all agencies.ICGS SamudraPavak overseeing ops.(2/2) @InfoGujarat @CMOGuj pic.twitter.com/rzudvqBlR2
— PRO Defence Gujarat (@Def_update) January 18, 2018
An Indian Coast Guard Interceptor Boat C-403 was sent to the spot. “Efforts are underway to douse the fire,” a Coast Guard official had said. A Dornier aircraft will ascertain the extent of the fire.
