The Indian Navy’s INS Brahmaputra, a guided-missile frigate, was severely damaged by a fire while undergoing refit at the Mumbai Naval Dockyard.
The incident occurred on the evening of July 21, 2024, resulting in the ship listing significantly to the port side and currently resting on one side alongside its berth.
The Indian Navy confirmed that all personnel on board have been accounted for, except for one junior sailor, for whom the search is ongoing. An official inquiry has been launched to investigate the cause of the accident.
“A fire had broken out onboard the Indian Naval Ship Brahmaputra, a multi-role frigate, on the evening of 21 Jul 24 while she was undergoing refit. The fire was brought under control by the ship’s crew with the assistance of firefighters from Naval Dockyard, Mumbai (ND Mbi) and other ships in the harbor, by the morning of 22 Jul 24. Further, follow-on actions including sanitization checks for assessment of residual damage and ensuring the ship’s safety are underway,” the Navy said in a statement.
Despite exhaustive efforts, the ship could not be stabilized and continued to list further, leading to its current precarious position. The fire’s impact has significantly compromised the vessel’s structural integrity.
Commissioned into the Indian Navy on April 14, 2000, INS Brahmaputra is the first of the indigenously built ‘Brahmaputra’ class guided-missile frigates. The ship is designed for multi-role operations, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and anti-air warfare, making it a critical asset in India’s naval fleet.
INS Brahmaputra has participated in numerous naval exercises and missions, contributing to India’s maritime security and strategic interests.