Three naval personnel lose life in explosion onboard INS Ranvir, enquiry panel set up to investigate incident

Three naval personnel have lost their lives due to an explosion in an internal compartment onboard INS Ranvir at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.

As per reports, the ship's crew responded immediately to bring the situation under control and there was no major material damage.

"In an unfortunate incident today at Naval Dockyard Mumbai, three naval personnel succumbed to injuries caused by an explosion in an internal compartment onboard INS Ranvir," a Defence Ministry release said.

A Board of Inquiry has been ordered by the Indian Navy to investigate the cause of the explosion.

"INS Ranvir was on cross coast operational deployment from the Eastern Naval Command and was due to return to base port shortly. A Board of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate into the cause", Navy officials were quoted as saying.

As per reports, the explosion occurred around 4:30 pm and had nothing to do with weapons or ammunition explosion. Further details are awaited.

INS Ranvir, the first of the Ranvir class destroyers, was commissioned into the Indian navy on April 21, 1986. The ships were built in the former Soviet Union. The role of Ranvir class ships involves protection such as anti-aircraft and anti-submarine warfare for carrier task force defense against submarines, low-flying aircraft, and cruise missiles.