Naval Officer DS Chauhan died while leading a firefighting crew onboard INS Vikramaditya in Karnataka. Although the fire was restrained in a short time, the smoke made the lieutenant commander unconscious. The incident occurred while the only aircraft carrier of India was entering a home port in Karwar, Karnataka.
In its statement, the Navy said, “Lieutenant Commander DS Chauhan bravely led the firefighting efforts in the affected compartment.”
Swift Action Prevented Serious Damage
According to the Navy’s statement, the fire was brought under control by the swift action of the ship’s crew thereby preventing any serious damage that could affect the combat capability of the ship.
The firefighting efforts were led by Lt Cdr DS Chauhan during which he became unconscious. He was immediately evacuated at Karwar’s Naval Hospital, INHS Patanjali for medical treatment.
Unfortunately, the medical officers could not revive DS Chauhan. The navy has already ordered a Board of Inquiry for investigating the fire incident.
INS Vikramaditya Is Biggest & Heaviest Ship
INS Vikramaditya came to India in January 2014 from Russia. India commissioned the $2.3 billion aircraft carrier into its Navy in November 2013 at the Severodvinsk Sevmash shipyard in north Russia. INS Vikramaditya is 60 meters high and 284 meters long- almost as high as a 20-storeyed building.
Having a weight of 40,000 tonnes, it is the heaviest and biggest ship in the Indian Navy.
