Navy sailor loses leg after explosion on INS Nireekshak

A Navy sailor’s leg was amputated due to injuries caused by an explosion while charging an oxygen bottle on board INS Nireekshak, a submarine rescue vessel.

Two others were also injured in the accident, which happened on April 16 off Vizhinjam (Kerala) when the naval ship was sailing to Mumbai. The sailor, who was working with the maritime force for a decade, is to be fitted with a prosthetic limb.

The explosion happened on the deck of the ship, when the divers were charging their oxygen bailout bottle, a small 12-inch oxygen bottle which is carried by divers inside their diving helmet. The divers keep it in addition to the 12-kg oxygen cylinder, which they carry on their back.

“The explosion happened while the crew was working on the deck of the ship. The Navy never experienced such an accident in the past. An inquiry has been ordered,” said a Navy officer.

The right leg of one sailor, who received the most serious injury was amputated from just above the knee. Two other sailors received splinter injuries in abdomen and legs.

They were first admitted to the military hospital, Thiruvananthapuram as the ship was on its way to Mumbai from Visakhapatnam. Later, they were shifted to Mumbai and are now in a stable condition.

The accident happened on the eve of the three-day Navy commander’s conference beginning here on Thursday, which would discuss the living and service conditions of sailors working in the navy.