Fire kills one on Russian icebreaker under construction

By Baird Maritime - April 9, 2024.

Yekaterina Velikaya, lead ship of a new class of Russian-built multi-purpose icebreakers, prior to being launched into the water for the first time in late 2020 — *Yekaterina Velikaya prior to being launched into the water for the first time, (Photo: Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex)*

Prosecutors in Russia have told local media that one person was killed while three others suffered varying degrees of injury after a fire broke out on an icebreaker that is still under construction on Monday, April 8.

The 106-metre Yekaterina Velikaya was at a shipyard in Vladivostok undergoing final outfitting and preparations for sea trials when a blaze ignited in an undisclosed area of the vessel at around 03:00 local time on Monday.

Smoke had already begun rising from the stern by the time firefighters and rescue personnel arrived at the scene.

The fire was extinguished as all onboard personnel were evacuated. Tragically, however, one individual was later pronounced deceased.

The three people who were injured are being treated in hospital. The extent of their injuries remains unknown.

Yekaterina Velikaya was originally scheduled to be delivered to local oil company Rosneft in 2019. However, the construction has been beset by delays.

The icebreaker was finally launched into the water for the first time in December 2020.

Authorities have not yet provided details on any impact the recent fire incident will have on the vessel’s delivery timeline.