Mumbai. 06 December 2016. At about 1:50 PM on 05 December 2016, Indian Naval Ship Betwa, a frigate of the Indian Navy, was in the process of undocking in Naval Dockyard (Mumbai) when she slipped from her dock blocks and listed (tilted) to her port side. Immediate action was taken to get all personnel to safety. However, NK Rai, CHEAR and Ashutosh Pandey Ag LME succumbed to injuries during the incident.
Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of Naval Staff, arrived in Mumbai late night on 05 December 2016 to take stock of the situation. The Navy Chief visited the dry dock today to see INS Betwa where he was briefed about the situation and the way ahead. He directed that the ship, in due course of time, be made upright and complete her refit to rejoin the fleet. Admiral Lanba also met the family of one of the deceased, NK Rai CHEAR and visited INHS Asvini to meet the injured personnel.
The Navy is making arrangements to fly out the mortal remains of the two sailors to their respective home towns at, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh and Satna, Madhya Pradesh using service aircraft by 07 December 2016.
Technical evaluation for making the ship upright i NJs in progress. A Board of Inquiry, headed by Rear Admiral Deepak Bali, FODAG has been ordered.