Five sailors killed in gas leak aboard ship

At least five sailors were asphyxiated by leaking gas aboard the LPG vessel Maharshi Krishnatreya in the Arabian Sea seas, a maritime official said here on Monday. The ship was en route to the UAE when the incident occurred in the compressor room of the vessel, according to the Directorate-General of Shipping (DGS). The ship’s chief officer, a gas engineer and four other seamen were attempting to repair a damaged gas pipe in the compressor when they were overcome by the gas. Five persons have succumbed, but their identities and other details were not immediately disclosed, the official said. The sixth victim was in serious condition and airlifted to Porbandar by helicopter for medical treatment. On learning of the accident around 11 am Monday, the vessel’s owners, Messrs. Varun Shipping here alerted the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard for relief and rescue operations.