Sailor Loses Leg in an Oxygen Cylinder Explosion On Naval Ship

The accident took place onboard INS Nireekshak, an Indian Naval Ship.

INS Nireekshak of Indian Navy. (Photo Courtesy: Indian Navy)

A sailor has had to have his right leg amputated from just above the knee, while two others have been injured in an oxygen cylinder explosion aboard an Indian naval ship.

The explosion occurred on 16 April on board INS Nireekshak, and the Navy, which had remained tight-lipped till now, has ordered an inquiry.

A Navy official said that such an incident had never happened before in history of the Indian Navy.

The explosion happened while the crew was working on the deck of the ship.

<b>Navy Official</b>

The explosion took place while a diving bailout bottle – a small 12-inch oxygen bottle which is carried by divers in their diving helmet – was being charged.

The two other sailors affected received splinter injuries in the stomach region and legs. They were admitted to the Military Hospital, Trivandrum as the ship was on it way to Mumbai from Visakhapatnam. The sailors were said to be in a stable condition and have now been shifted to Mumbai.