INS Brahmaputra severely damaged in fire at Mumbai dockyard, sailor missing; Navy orders probe

INS Brahmaputra, an Indian Navy warship undergoing maintenance at the naval dockyard in Mumbai, caught fire on Sunday, 21 July. According to the Indian Navy, the warship experienced severe listing to the 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.” the navy informed.

The Indian Navy stated that the fire had broken out onboard the Indian Naval Ship Brahmaputra, a multi-role Frigate, on the evening of July 21 while the ship was undergoing refit.

A junior sailor is missing. “All personnel have been accounted for except one junior sailor, for whom the search is in progress.” the navy said. Later the government infored tyhe Defense Minister Rajnath Singh had been informed of the situation and the missing sailor. 

“Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi has apprised RM Shri @rajnathsingh of the fire breakout onboard Indian Naval Ship Brahmaputra and the damages caused by the incident. RM prays for the safety of missing sailor.” the official tweet read.

An inquiry has been ordered by the Indian Navy to investigate the accident.

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. Further, follow-on actions, including sanitisation checks for assessment of the residual risk of fire were carried out.

“A fire had broken out onboard the Indian Naval Ship Brahmaputra, a multi-role Frigate, on the evening of 21 Jul 24 while she was undergoing refit. The fire was brought under control by the ship’s crew with the assistance of firefighters from Naval Dockyard, Mumbai {ND (Mbi)} and other ships in the harbour, by the morning of 22 Jul 24,” the Indian Navy informed.

INS Brahmaputra

Commissioned into the Indian Navy in April 2000, INS Brahmaputra marks the debut of the indigenous 'Brahmaputra' class guided missile frigate. This formidable vessel is operated by a dedicated crew comprising 40 officers and 330 sailors, showcasing India's naval prowess and commitment to self-reliance in defence technology.

The ship is fitted with medium-range, close-range, and anti-aircraft guns, surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, and torpedo launchers. It also has an array of sensors covering all facets of maritime warfare and is capable of operating Seaking and Chetak helicopters.