Indian Navy’s Rear Admiral to lead probe in INS Brahmaputra accident, accountability to be fixed

New Delhi (India), July 23 (ANI):Taking a strong view into the accident involving INS Brahmaputra warship, the Naval headquarters has ordered a detailed probe led by a Rear Admiral to determine the exact causes and establish accountability based on the inquiry report.

The warship is resting on one side in the Naval Dockyard after a fire incident on board on Sunday night.

Indian Navy chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi has given strict instructions to the officials concerned to be very careful in handling of vital national assets during his visit to Mumbai to review the cause of the accident, Defence Sources told ANI.

The Navy chief was briefed about the incident by Western Command officials about the accident and the steps being taken by the force, they said.

The Rear Admiral (equivalent to a Major General in the Army) heading the Board of Inquiry has been asked to work in a time-bound matter to find out the exact reasons of the accident, they said.

The Navy Chief had yesterday briefed the Defence Minister about the accident and Rajnath Singh had instructed him to take appropriate action in the matter.

A fire had broken out onboard INS Brahmaputra, while she was undergoing refit. The ship experienced severe listing to one side but despite all efforts, the ship could not be brought to an upright position.

The ship continued to list further alongside her berth and is presently resting on one side.

The missing sailor has also not yet been found but the search operations for him are continuing there, Navy officials said.