One crew member from the fire-stricken tanker Genessa has lost his life due to major burns, local media said citing defence spokesperson of the Gujarat region, Abhishek Matiman.
Genessa’s 26 crew members were evacuated shortly after the ship suffered a major fire in the evening hours of January 17 off the coast of India’s Deendayal Port Kandla.
Two members sustained severe injuries and were transferred to a hospital in Mundra, where one of them died earlier today.
At the time of the incident, the 46,145 dwt ship was at anchor some 14 nautical miles off Kandla. It was reportedly loaded with 30,000 tonnes of high speed diesel.
#IndiaCoastGuard Chetak carries out aerial recce to assess damage and to guide rescue vessels to the datum to maximise effectiveness. SOPs formulated and experience gained during Exercise NATPOLREX in Dec 2016 come handy enhancing interoperability @SpokespersonMoD @InfoGujarat pic.twitter.com/TC8xn6X6O4
— PRO Defence Gujarat (@Def_update) January 18, 2018
Indian Coast Guard earlier informed that the hot spots temperature was brought down to 40 and 25 degree Celsius on the ship’s port and starboard side, respectively.
Matiman was cited as saying that the fire has been doused but smoke is still coming out from hot spots. Relevant authorities are undertaking all necessary efforts to cool down hot spots in order to prevent any further damage.
The coast guard said that a hovercraft was also deployed to inspect the area for any possible water pollution, adding that there are still no signs of an oil spill.
The incident allegedly started in the crew compartment.
#IndiaCoastGuard Fire fight to save MT Genessa continues. Addl Dir Gen K Natarajan PTM, TM Coast Guard Commander Western Seaboard and Inspector General Rakesh Pal TM Commander Coast Guard Region North West at the scene of action to oversee operations. pic.twitter.com/23n9FY7xrS
— PRO Defence Gujarat (@Def_update) January 18, 2018
World Maritime News Staff; Image/Video Courtesy: PRO Defence Gujarat