Visakhapatnam: One died while 27 people out of a total 29 crew members were rescued after a fire broke out on Monday on an offshore support vessel, Coast Jaguar at Single Point Mooring (SPM), a terminal where crude oil is handled at the Visakhapatnam port, according to official sources. Efforts are being made to locate one crew member of the vessel who is still reported missing. The body of a crew member was found floating on the water while 27 crewmen were rescued by Coast Guard.

Visakhapatnam: One dead& one missing, and 27 people have been rescued by the Indian Coast Guard. 29 crew members of Offshore Support Vessel Coastal Jaguar had jumped into the water after a fire engulfed the vessel, earlier today. (File pics) #AndhraPradesh pic.twitter.com/oE96Q7wgwP

— ANI (@ANI) August 12, 2019

A spokesperson of the Indian Coast Guard stated, around 11.30 am on Monday there was reportedly a loud explosion onboard Coastal Jaguar followed by thick smoke emanating from the vessel. The crew members had to jump into the water and abandon the vessel to save themselves. Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS), Rani Rashmoni, which was patrolling the area, was rushed to the spot to rescue the distressed crew members in coordination with the Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) boats. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be known.