One killed, another injured following crane mishap at Indian shipyard

One person was killed while another suffered serious injuries as a result of an accident at a shipyard in Kolkata, India, on Thursday, July 17.

The accident at the facilities of state-owned Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) occurred at around 15:30 local time on Thursday when a nylon sling on one of the yard's cranes suddenly snapped while it was carrying a 2.5-ton hull block for installation on another block.

The block being lifted by the crane then fell onto two contractual labourers who were later brought to CMRI Hospital in Kolkata. Tragically, one of the labourers, identified as a 35-year-old male, was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.

The deceased victim's 41-year-old companion meanwhile suffered injuries to his spine and hands and was still undergoing treatment as of Thursday evening.

Local police have launched an investigation to determine whether GRSE had adequately followed safety procedures prior to the mishap.