New Delhi: Five workers were killed and seven injured in a blast that occurred in the maintenance dock of Cochin Shipyard on Tuesday morning. The blast took place inside ONGC ship Sagar Bhusan which was under maintenance in the dock. All the injured workers have been admitted to hospital. The condition of one injured is reportedly critical. 

Meanwhile Cochin Shipyard Chairman and Managing Director Madhu S Nair has announced ten lakhs rupees each ex-gratia to the next of kin of the bereaved families. He said, the Company will also bear the cost of the treatment of the injured.

He also announced that Director of Operations will conduct a detailed investigation into the cause of the accident. He said, an emissary from Union Ministry of Shipping will visit Kochi very soon.