New Delhi:
A Navy warship, INS Vindhyagiri, caught fire on Sunday after a collision with a merchant vessel MV Nordlake. The fire was finally out out.
Here is a statement issued by the Defence Ministry on the incident:At about 1630 h on 30 Jan 11 INS Vindhyagiri was entering harbour and proceeding at slow speed, when MV Nordlake, a Cyprus flag container carrier proceeding out of harbour, collided with the naval ship.
The collision led to fire and flooding on board INS Vindhyagiri. INS Vindhyagiri was thereafter safely berthed alongside in the naval harbour. Ammunition on board was cleared and all efforts were made to contain the fire and flooding onboard. Concurrently, necessary measures have also been taken to prevent any spillage of oil from the ship. Other naval operations and commercial operations in Mumbai port have not been affected. No casualties have been reported.
A FIR has been lodged with Mumbai police and MV Nordlake is held back in the Mumbai harbour. An inquiry is being ordered.
INS Vindhyagiri, is a Leander class frigate commissioned in July 1981 and was fully operational.
PVS 07/2011
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PVS Satish
Commander
Spokesperson & PRO (Navy)