Four Die in Explosion Aboard Grounded Tanker Off Manori

Four men died in an explosion onboard an unmanned tanker that had run aground off Manori, near Mumbai, after allegedly boarding the vessel to strip copper and other metal fittings for scrap. The blast is believed to have occurred while the group was attempting to salvage material from the ship's engine room or cargo spaces, likely igniting residual fuel vapours or flammable gases trapped onboard. The tanker had been lying grounded and unmanned off the Manori coastline, making it a target for scrap metal scavengers operating without authorisation. Authorities are investigating how the men gained access to the vessel and the exact cause of the explosion, with early assessments pointing to the ignition of vapours from residual oil or fuel remaining in the tanker's tanks and pipework. Unmanned and grounded vessels left unsecured for extended periods frequently become targets for illegal salvage activity, posing serious safety risks due to the presence of flammable residues, confined spaces, and structural instability. Incidents involving unauthorised scrapping of abandoned ships have previously resulted in fatalities in Indian coastal waters and elsewhere, prompting calls for stricter monitoring and security of derelict vessels. Local maritime and law enforcement authorities are expected to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident, including the circumstances under which the men accessed the unmanned ship and the adequacy of security measures around grounded vessels in the area.