Nitin Gadkari orders probe into Cochin Shipyard blast incident

NEW DELHI: Union Shipping and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has ordered an inquiry into the blast that took place inside an Oil and Natural Gas Corporation tanker killing five persons and injuring some others.

Gadkari, however, quoted the death toll figures at four.

"Shocked by the unfortunate blast at Cochin Shipyard where four people have died. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families. I have spoken to MD, Cochin Shipyard and asked him to provide all necessary medical support to (the) victims and to initiate immediate inquiry with the help of concerned agencies," said Gadkari in a tweet.


Those killed are daily labourers and contract workers. Tuesday being a holiday, no regular workers of the shipyard were present.

The blast took place around 11 am in the water tank of the berthed ONGC tanker Sagar Bhushan. The Sagar Bhushan has been docked at the Cochin Shipyard for a month for repairs and maintenance.

(With agency inputs)