INS Brahmaputra third major loss in Mumbai in recent years

The Indian Navy's frigate INS Brahmaputra, which has partially sunk after a fire onboard during a routine refit, is the third major onshore loss in Mumbai in the last decade or so, raising questions on safety standards and maintenance processes at India's top naval base.

The damage to Brahmaputra, which now lies on its side and has suffered significant damage with chances of a recovery slim, will be investigated by a Rear Admiral to determine the causes and establish accountability. The Navy is looking to thoroughly investigate the incident and assign responsibility for the loss of the frigate as well as the loss of a sailor who was onboard the frigate. His body was found on Wednesday.

The damage of the frigate, which was made in India at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers and commissioned in 2000, adds to a list of naval assets that have been lost in Mumbai over the last decade.


Prior to this, INS Betwa also suffered a similar incident when it slipped into the side of a dockyard during a refit in Mumbai in 2016. The guided missile frigate commissioned in 2004 slipped while at a dry dock in Mumbai and toppled over.

The frigate was undergoing maintenance when a possible miscalculation by the dock or material failure led to the mishap. Two sailors - crew members of the Betwa - died in the incident, while 14 others were injured.

The ship was subsequently salvaged and underwent a very expensive repair process.

In January 2011, frigate INS Vindhyagiri sank at the Mumbai harbour after a collision with a merchant vessel. The massive ship had family members of Navy personnel on board. It managed to reach the dock after the collision, but sank without any loss of life.

In August 2013, explosions ripped apart the INS Sindhurakshak as it was undertaking torpedo replenishment at the Mumbai docks. It killed 18 sailors instantly after the Kilo class submarine sank following multiple explosions.

A fire accident at the Mumbai naval dockyard in 2019 resulted in damage to a recently upgraded Kilo class submarine. The INS Sindhukesari, which underwent a ₹1,197 crore refit and upgradation in Russia, suffered the accident when certain indigenous components as well as a US origin periscope were being fitted onboard.