File photo of a ship recycling yard in Alang, India. Photo courtesy IMO
A major explosion at an Alang shipbreaking yard in India has killed five people and injured at least 10.
According to local media reports, the blast occurred at about 11 a.m. on Saturday as workers were dismantling a chemical tanker at a ship breaking yard in the Bhavnagar district of Gujarat. Some reports suggest that the number of fatalities and injuries reported may be underestimated.
It is believed that hot work being performed ignited gases still inside the vessel, causing the blast.
Ship breaking in Alang is considered one of the most dangerous jobs in India for its lax health and safety standards and access to medical care. Ship recycling and the practice of ‘beaching’ in places like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh is still highly controversial despite regulation from the IMO and various other governing bodies to make the practice safer for workers and the environment.
Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update
Essential maritime and offshore news, insights, and updates delivered daily straight to your inbox
India says it has secured the release of more than 150 seafarers who were stranded at Yemen’s Ras Isa Port, according to the Directorate General of Shipping. All 11 vessels...
Two crew were injured and two others missing on a Liberia-flagged bulk carrier that was attacked with skiffs and drones 49 nautical miles southwest of Yemen's Red Sea port of Hodeidah, British maritime security firm Ambrey said on Monday.
By Yomna Ehab and Mohammed Ghobari ADEN/CAIRO, July 7 (Reuters) – Israel struck Houthi targets at three Yemeni ports and a power plant, the military said early on Monday, in...
Subscribe to gCaptain Daily and stay informed with the latest global maritime and offshore news
Stay informed with the latest maritime and offshore news, delivered daily straight to your inbox
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
