11 killed in Visakhapatnam after massive crane crashes at Hindustan Shipyard

In a major accident at the Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam, a heavy duty crashed, trapping many under the debris. As many as 11 people have been killed in the accident so far while one person is injured.

Of the 11 deceased, four were employees of HSL, including a supervisor, while the other seven were workers of three contracting agencies, Visakhapatnam District Collector Vinay Chand told reporters after inspecting the mishap site.

Bodies of the victims have been retrieved in the rescue and relief operations and sent for post-mortem. One victim is yet to be identified.

The new crane was erected at HSL about two years ago but was not yet commissioned for regular operations due to change in contractors. The mishap occurred when workers were engaged in erecting the crane, Police Commissioner RK Meena said. The massive crane suddenly crumbled and crashed to the ground.

Vinay Chand said: "A new crane was being commissioned. A trial run was being conducted to bring it into full-scale operation. We've also ordered inquiry both from within Hindustan Shipyard and also a high-level committee from the administration."

Following the incident, "Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy directed Visakhapatnam’s district collector and police commissioner to take immediate action in the matter," news agency ANI quoted the chief minister’s office as saying.

Dramatic visuals of the crane toppling down have emerged as people at the shipyard stood watching in horror.

10 workers lost their lives while 1 injured shifted to hospital after a heavy-duty crane crashed at Hindustan Shipyard in #Visakhapatnam. #AndhraPradesh https://t.co/EIlhXSvtTT pic.twitter.com/hYuuZA5x4Z — Aashish (@Ashi_IndiaToday) August 1, 2020

DCP Suresh Babu had first confirmed the incident and said the heavy duty crane collapsed at Hindustan Shipyard and 10 people have died so far.

COMMITTEE FORMED TO PROBE CRANE ACCIDENT

While HSL constituted an internal committee, headed by its Director (Operations), the Collector formed an independent committee of engineers, comprising heads of departments of civil, mechanical and electrical engineering of Andhra Engineering College, to investigate the cause of the crane accident.

"The committees will probe if there is any human negligence that caused the mishap," the Collector said.

HSL also contracted Lead Engineers for maintenance and Squad7 for regular operation of the crane.

"These contractors have commenced the full load trials now and the testing was being done when the tragedy occurred," Vinay Chand added.

RAJNATH SINGH, SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN EXPRESS GRIEF

Expressing grief over the death of workers in the crane collapse accident, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted: "Extremely anguished by the loss of lives due to an accident at HSL facility in Vishakhapatnam(AP). My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly. Departmental Enquiry Committee has been instituted to establish the causes leading to the accident."

Extremely anguished by the loss of lives due to an accident at HSL facility in Vishakhapatnam(AP). My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly.

Departmental Enquiry Committee has been instituted to establish the causes leading to the accident. — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 1, 2020

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also said: "Anguished by the death of 10 [toll has now risen to 11] workers in a crane accident at the Hindustan Shipyard in Vishakhapattanam. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."

Anguished by the death of 10 workers in a crane accident at the Hindustan Shipyard in #Vishakhapattanam.

My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. — Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) August 1, 2020

(With inputs from PTI)