Two Injured After Cargo Crane Catches Fire at Mumbai Port

Two crane operators were injured after a cargo-handling crane caught fire during an unloading operation at Mumbai Port on Sunday evening, officials said.

The incident occurred at around 7.30 pm while a 140-tonne cargo consignment was being unloaded from the Barbados-flagged vessel Vienna. The operation was being carried out using two cranes operated by private firm Barkat, according to a police official.

Preliminary information indicated that one of the lifting straps slipped while the cargo was being handled, apparently due to an imbalance. As a result, the entire weight of the load suddenly shifted onto the second crane.

The sudden change in the load distribution caused the second crane to lift off the ground, officials said. Its telescopic boom subsequently struck the vessel, triggering a fire in the crane.

The incident prompted an immediate response from the Mumbai Port fire brigade. Firefighters rushed to the location and managed to extinguish the flames, preventing the fire from causing further damage.

The two injured operators were identified as Ranjeet Singh and Nishant Singh, both employees of Barkat. They were taken to St George Hospital for medical treatment. Further details about the extent of their injuries were not immediately available.

Authorities have initiated an inquiry into the accident to determine the exact circumstances that led to the crane becoming unstable and catching fire during the cargo operation.

The incident comes as safety procedures surrounding heavy-lift cargo operations at ports remain critical, given the risks associated with handling extremely heavy consignments using large lifting equipment.

Officials are expected to examine the condition of the cranes, lifting equipment and straps involved in the operation, along with the procedures followed during the unloading of the 140-tonne cargo, as part of the investigation.