Fire on Mumbai Port Crane Injures Two as 140-Tonne Cargo Shifts
A technical failure during unloading operations at BPS Port sparked a blaze that left two workers hospitalised.
A fire broke out on a crane during cargo unloading operations at Mumbai’s BPS Port on the evening of August 30, 2026, leaving two workers injured. The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. while the Barbados-flagged vessel Vienna was being unloaded.
The accident unfolded when a sling securing a 140-metric-ton cargo on one of two cranes operated by private firm Barkat Company became unbalanced and detached. The sudden shift caused the entire load to transfer onto the second crane, lifting it off the ground. The crane’s front telescopic boom struck the vessel, generating friction that ignited the fire, according to Mumbai Police.
Firefighters from the Mumbai Port Fire Brigade arrived promptly and extinguished the blaze by 8:30 p.m. The two injured workers, crane operator Ranjit Singh and his assistant Nishant Singh, were transported to St George Hospital for treatment. Both are employees of Barkat Company, which was handling the lifting operation.
The incident took place at Green Gate, near the Cruise Terminal in the Ballard Pier Estate area of the port. Authorities have launched an inquiry to determine the precise cause of the accident and assess whether safety protocols were followed. The investigation will examine the condition of the equipment, the operators’ training, and compliance with weight distribution guidelines.
While the fire brigade’s rapid response prevented further damage, the accident underscores the risks associated with heavy-lift operations. The Vienna remains docked at the port, with cargo unloading suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
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