Kochi: The factories and boilers department, which started a detailed investigation into the explosion on the oil rig ‘Sagar Bhushan’ dry-docked inside the Cochin Shipyard for repairs, will submit its report in four days.
The director, factories and boilers, visited the spot and recorded his observations on Wednesday.
“As per preliminary assessment, the accident has been caused by a momentary explosion of high impact that has occurred near the AC plant, which is situated above the ballast tank.
The probable location of the explosion was identified based on the nature of the deflections on the bulkheads (steel walls) and the damage extent observed during the inspection,” an official said.
Earlier, a team led by resident joint director at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) Arun V. K. and including two inspectors and a chemical inspector was formed to probe the cause.
“We’ve detected the presence of refrigerant gas R22 in the refrigeration and air condition unit where the blast took place. We have to verify whether it has got anything to do with the blast,” the official said.
Meanwhile, the CSL in a statement clarified that the source of leakage and reason for the explosion is yet to be confirmed and the same would be clarified only after the internal inquiry is completed.
“The accident is observed to have happened near the AC plant when CSL fire and safety personnel were inspecting the area before issuing the work permit for starting of the job,” it said.
