Daijiworld Media Network – Margao

Margao, Oct 18: Two workers lost their lives and five others sustained severe burn injuries after a sudden fire broke out on a vessel under construction at Vijay Marine Shipyard, Loutolim, on Friday evening.

According to Goa Police, the fire erupted around 5:30 pm while seven labourers were engaged in welding work inside a confined section of the vessel. All seven were rushed to the South Goa District Hospital, where two were declared brought dead. Four critically injured workers were later shifted to Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, while one with minor injuries continues treatment at the district hospital.

Sub-Divisional Police Officer, DySP Sidhant Shirodkar, said preliminary investigation suggests negligence by the safety supervisor, who allegedly failed to enforce proper safety measures during welding operations. “The lapse appears to have occurred due to failure to ensure functioning safety gadgets and proper precautions,” he said.

Medical Superintendent Dr. Rajendra Borkar confirmed that all victims suffered extensive burn injuries. The deceased and injured include workers identified as Abhishek Kumar (25), Manish Chauhan (27), Santosh Kumar (27), and Mohammed Babloo (27) — all from Uttar Pradesh.

The Inspector of Factories and Boilers has ordered the immediate suspension of all shipyard operations and sealed the site for investigation. A bomb disposal squad was also deployed as a precautionary measure.

District Collector Egna Cletus, chairperson of the South Goa Disaster Management Authority, clarified that the incident was a fire and not an explosion. She said the vessel had been freshly painted on Thursday and a chemical reaction likely occurred when welding began, triggering the blaze.

Authorities have launched a detailed probe, and the Maina-Curtorim police have registered a case under Sections 106, 115, and 118 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).