This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.

2 Dead After INS Betwa, Guided Missile Frigate Of Indian Navy, Tips Over

14 personnel rescued from the dry dock.
Frontline Indian Navy ship INS Betwa after it tipped over.
Indian Navy Sources
Frontline Indian Navy ship INS Betwa after it tipped over.

Two casualties have been confirmed, even as fourteen personnel were rescued from the dry dock after INS Betwa, a guided missile frigate and a frontline warship of the Indian Navy, tipped over on Monday during repairs, leading to extensive damage.

Others with minor injuries are being treated at the Naval Hospital INHS Asvini.

The main mast has broken and diving operations have started. The Indian Navy has ordered a court of inquiry into the accident that occurred at around 2 pm. An accident of this proportion has never happened with the Indian Navy. Casualties, if any, could not be confirmed.

Chief of Naval Staff has left for Mumbai to take stock of the situation.

Navy spokesperson Captain D K Sharma told HuffPost India that the "accident occurred when the ship was being un-docked. she has tipped over to the left side. It is suspected that dock blocks mechanism has failed."

The INS Betwa -- a Brahmaputra Class Warship -- weighs 3850 tons and is 126 meters in length. It was inducted into the Indian Navy in July, 2004. The NATO call sign is F-39. It also carries two British made Sea King anti-submarine warfare helicopters on board.

The INS Betwa carries Israeli made Barack anti-ship missiles, standard OTO Melara super rapid 76 mm guns, and Russian-made Klub missiles among other weapons.

The warship was undergoing repairs and was being refit at the Cruiser Graving Dock in the Mumbai harbour, Sharma said.

"The repairs were complete and the dry dock was being flooded to float ship and bring it out. It is a very complex operation," he said.

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.