Worker dies while repairing decommissioned submarine

He probably inhaled poisonous gases. Another worker found unconscious. Yet another missing

One worker died and another was recovered unconscious from a decommissioned submarine berthed at Chennai port on Monday.

The fate of a third worker remained uncertain, said port officials. Jayakumar (24), Mahen- dran (25) and Bhavani Shankar (45), had entered INS Vagli to carry out repairs on Monday.

The submarine was gifted by the Centre to the State government for preservation at the proposed maritime museum in Mamallapuram. It was towed from Vishakapatnam to Chennai port in March last year and handed over to Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation and Tamil Nadu Maritime Corporation in April.

According to the police, the three conservancy workers had entered the submarine through a small opening.

After the first man went in, there was no response from him, forcing the other two men to enter the submarine as well.

During the rescue operation, naval officers could only retrieve Mahendran’s body. Jayakumar was brought out unconscious. He was sent to Government General Hospital.

Efforts were on to rescue Bhavani Shankar, said a port official. The workers may have been struck by poisonous gases, said officials.