Explosion on India's 2nd largest ship, Navy loses 5

New Delhi: An explosion rocked INS Jalashwa on Friday evening leading to the death of five Naval personnel. Three others were critically injured in the incident.


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 incident occurred when the ship was taking part in a naval exercise in the Bay of Bengal between Visakhapatanam and Port Blair.


The Naval Headquarters has confirmed the accident and the deaths. The Defence Ministry has ordered an urgent, high-level enquiry into the incident.

Sources say the explosion occurred in one of the boilers in the ship. It was previously called USS Trenton and is an amphibious assault vessel that can embark, transport and land troops, artillery, vehicles, etc., to provide support to military operations ashore.


The ship can carry a large number of troops and can also be used as a floating hospital.


The Navy has sent its medical ships to treat the injured and to bring back the serious cases to Port Blair. Defence Minister AK Antony expressed his deep regret at the loss of lives.


The Defence Ministry as well as the Naval Headquarters said that a board of inquiry has been constituted to probe into the incident.


I have a Question are indian capable to handle U.S made weapons???

It was an unfortunate freak accident...i.e. PN had a fire on its tanker not so long ago.

I dont mind indain warships doing down but its always sad when people die may they be anyone, feel sorry for the lives lost.

Agreed. feel sorry for lose of lives.