No major material damage has been reported, a Defence Ministry release said. (Representational)
Three naval personnel died of injuries caused by an explosion on board Indian Navy's destroyer ship INS Ranvir. "In an unfortunate incident today at Naval Dockyard Mumbai, three naval personnel succumbed to injuries caused by an explosion in an internal compartment onboard INS Ranvir," a Defence Ministry release said. No major material damage has been reported, it added.
Sources say the explosion occurred around 4:30 pm and had nothing to do with weapons or ammunition explosion. A board of inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause.
"The ship's crew responded immediately and quickly brought the situation under control," the release said.
In a statement, the Indian Navy said it extends condolences to the families of Master Chief Petty Officer 1 (MCPO) Krishan Kumar, Surinder Kumar MCPO II and AK Singh MCPO II, who died due to injuries caused by the unfortunate incident onboard INS Ranvir. "We fully stand by with the families in this difficult time."
The three naval personnel who died due to injuries.
INS Ranvir was on cross-coast operational deployment from the Eastern Naval Command since November 2021 and was due to return to base port shortly.
INS Ranvir, the first of the Ranvir class destroyers, was commissioned into the Indian navy on April 21, 1986. The ships were built in the former Soviet Union. The role of Ranvir class ships involves protection such as anti-aircraft and anti-submarine warfare for carrier task force defense against submarines, low-flying aircraft, and cruise missiles.
The current Navy chief Admiral R Harikumar has commanded the ship earlier in his career.