Mumbai Port fire – Operations at the BPS Port in Mumbai faced sudden disruption on Sunday evening after a major heavy-lift accident caused a crane to overturn and erupt into flames, sending towering plumes of dark smoke visible across the Ballard Pier Estate area.
Mumbai Port fire – Technical Failure During Heavy Cargo Offloading
The alarming incident unfolded at approximately 7:30 PM when port workers were managing the discharge of a massive 140-metric-ton cargo piece from the Barbados-flagged vessel, Vienna. Handled via dual mobile cranes managed by Barkat Company, the routine procedure went awry when a crucial sling tethering the heavy load lost stability and slipped out of place. This sudden displacement threw the weight distribution off balance, instantaneously transferring the entire structural burden onto the secondary crane.
Mumbai Port fire – Friction Sparked the Sudden Blaze
Under the immense strain of the shifted load, the second lifting machine was forcefully jerked off the ground. Its protruding front telescopic boom violently collided against the side of the docked ship. The severe mechanical friction generated by this high-impact crash quickly ignited the equipment, causing the heavy crane to catch fire. Port safety authorities and the Mumbai Port Fire Brigade raced to the location, successfully subduing and extinguishing the flames within an hour.
Mumbai Port fire – Operators Hospitalized as Authorities Launch Probe
Emergency responders confirmed that two individuals working for Barkat Company identified as primary crane operator Ranjeet Singh and his assistant Nishant Singh sustained injuries during the mishap. Both victims were promptly rushed to St. George Hospital to receive medical care. Meanwhile, officials from the Yellow Gate police division and port safety boards have initiated a formal inquiry to inspect the broken rigging gear and determine whether any operational safety oversights contributed to the accident.
