zoomIllustration; Image Courtesy: CSL

At least four people died in a blast that took place on a drillship that was being repaired at Cochin Shipyard Ltd, India’s officials confirmed.

The explosion is said to have occurred in a ballast tank of the ONGC drillship Sagar Bhushan, which was undergoing repair at the yard for the past two months.

India’s Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said he was shocked by the unfortunate blast at Cochin Shipyard in which four people lost their lives on Tuesday.

Gadkari added that an immediate inquiry will be launched into the incident with the help of concerned agencies.

Dozens of other workers were injured in the blast as well, based on initial media reports, but the exact number of casualties differed across media publications.

The death toll is likely to rise, according to police officials cited by the Indian Express, as several workers were in critical condition due to the severity of the sustained burns.

Medical care is being provided to the victims and CSL and other officials are present on site to help, the Ministry of Shipping said.

“Sec-Shipping has got in touch with Chief Secretary, Kerala and ensured all possible aid to victims,” the ministry said in a tweet.

Work on dousing the fire is underway.

World Maritime News Staff