Two Panamanian ships – Khalijia 3 and Chitra – collided off Arabian Sea near Bombay Port at Colaba in Mumbai, early this morning. Some oil spillage was noticed from the two ships but the officials described it as minor and completely under control. Earlier reports said the oil leak was huge. The preliminary cause of the collision is suspected navigational error on the part of one or both the ships’ captains, but details will be investigated by statutory agencies.AIR correspondent Umesh Ujgare reports from Mumbai that two Panamanian cargo ships MV Khalijia-3 and MSC Chitra collided off Arabian Sea near Mumbai, early today morning. No casualities were reported as All 33 sailors from the two ships were rescued unharmed by Coast Guard. The vessels – MV Khalija-III and Chitra collided with each other around 9.45 a.m. Both the vessels, measuring at least 200 metres in length, tilted sharply due to the impact of the collision. On receiving message, the Indian Coast Guard immediately diverted its vessel ICG Kamala Devi and helicopter for relief and rescue operations. Meanwhile, by late afternoon, the tilted ships stabilised and were not in danger of sinking or creating shipping traffic hazard in the busy port area off Mumbai. Besides the Mumbai Port authorities, Directorate-General of Shipping will investigate the matter.
News On AIR | August 7, 2010 8:21 PM
Two Panamanian ships collide off Bombay port, spill oil