An interceptor boat of the Indian Navy sank off Chennai in the early hours of Thursday, after a fire broke out on the 15.6 metre-long boat. However, there was no injury to the six personnel who were on board.
"As the fire melted the texture of the boat, all four personnel who were on board swam to naval ship, which was sailing alongside for patrol," Rear Admiral Alok Bhatnagar, Flag Officer in charge of Tamil Nadu and Puduchery Area, told The Hindu .
According to an official release, the boat was on a routine deployment about 90 nautical miles North East off Chennai.
"The fire caused extensive damage to the Fibre-glass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) hull of the craft resulting in sinking of the boat despite all out efforts by the crew to save it. There were no casualties," it stated and further added that an inquiry has been ordered to investigate the incident.
