Explosion in beached tanker Union Brave killed 5 dock workers

   The beached tanker Union Brave got explosion and fire in the Alang-Sosiya Ship Recycling Yard, killing 5 dock workers. The accident happened during cutting of compartment in the rear part of the vessel, near the pump room. The fire works caused flaming of the fuel fumes and explosion in the compartment. Total 7 people were in the vicinity an 5 of them were killed, while 2 others were seriously injured. The tanker was sold for scrap to Ship Breaking Co, which ordered recycling in the Alang-Sosiya Ship Recycling Yard on plot 82. The local authorities and the yard started investigation of the accident and checked the safety level in the plot. The fuel tanks were not ventilated enough and the fuel fumes flamed by the welders used.

   The tanker Union Brave (IMO: 8001115) was built in 1983 in the Envc shipyard in Portugal. The vessel has deadweight of 18,732 DWT an gross tonnage of 12,630 GRT.