New Delhi, July 24 (UNI) The body of Sitendra Singh, a Leading Seaman, who went missing after a major fire broke out onboard INS Brahmaputra at Naval Dockyard Mumbai on July 21, was recovered on Wednesday after intensive diving operations.
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi and all personnel of the Indian Navy extend their deepest condolences to the family of Sitendra Singh. The Indian Navy stands resolutely with the bereaved family in this hour of grief, an Indian Navy statement said.
On Tuesday, Adm. Tripathi visited Mumbai and reviewed the sequence of events leading to the accident and efforts undertaken to locate the missing sailor.
He was briefed on the mitigating actions taken to limit the extent of the damage, plan to recover, and undertake repairs to restore the ship’s functionality at the earliest.
The CNS directed that all actions by the Command and Naval Headquarters to make INS Brahmaputra seaworthy and combat-ready be initiated immediately.
Interacting with the crew of INS Brahmaputra, CNS exhorted the crew to work towards early operationalisation of the ship in the true spirit of the Indian Navy.
It may be mentioned that on July 21, a major fire broke out onboard the Indian Naval Ship Brahmaputra, a multi-role frigate, while undergoing refit at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. Following the incident, the ship has now been lying on one side.
The fire was brought under control by the ship’s crew with the assistance of firefighters from the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai ND (Mbi), and other ships in harbour, by the morning of July 22.
Subsequently, the ship experienced severe listing to one side (port side). Despite all efforts, the ship could not be brought to an upright position.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was apprised by the CNS by the CNS about the fire incident on INS Brahmaputra. The Minister directed the Navy Chief to take appropriate action.
