Blast in INS Jalashva, five sailors killed, three injured

New Delhi, Feb 2: At least five Navy personnel were killed and three seriously injured in an explosion in the LPD ship INS Jalashva, which was recently bought from the US.

The blast occurred when the amphibious ship was going to Port Blair from Visakhapatnam. Initial reports said the explosion occurred in the sewage system of the ship. The 16,900-tonne INS Jalashwa is the second largest ship of Indian Navy after aircraft carrier INS Viraat. It is the first warship from the United States to join the Indian Navy.

India bought the 30-year-old ship sometime back and it was commissioned in the Navy in September last year. The ship is said to have a life span of 25 more years.

The Naval Headquarters has confirmed the accident and the deaths. The incident is believed to have occurred due to some engineering problem.

UNI