Two crane operators were injured after a crane caught fire during cargo unloading operations at Mumbai Port on Sunday evening, August 30. The incident occurred at around 7:30 pm at the BPS port area near Ballard Pier.
The operation involved unloading a 140-metric-tonne cargo from the Barbados-flagged vessel Vienna using two cranes operated by private firm Barkat. During the lifting operation, a sling became imbalanced and slipped, causing the load to shift suddenly onto the second crane.
The sudden weight shift lifted the second crane off the ground, causing its telescopic boom to strike the vessel. Friction from the impact subsequently triggered a fire, with the crane overturning during the incident.
Mumbai Port fire brigade personnel responded to the incident and brought the blaze under control. The two injured operators, Ranjit Singh and Nishant Singh, were taken to St George Hospital for treatment.
Police have launched an investigation to determine the exact circumstances and cause of the accident.