A tragic industrial accident at Kandla Port in Gujarat’s Kutch district has claimed the lives of three workers who reportedly suffocated after inhaling toxic gas inside a cargo vessel. Authorities believe methane gas accumulated in the ship’s cargo hold following a fumigation process, leading to the fatal incident during unloading operations.
The accident occurred aboard the Panama-flagged cargo ship MV Pan Optimum, which had recently arrived at Kandla Port carrying Australian pine wood logs. The vessel had departed from Portland Port in Victoria, Australia, on April 9 and reached Gujarat on May 10, according to police officials investigating the case.
Workers Collapsed Inside Cargo Hold
The deceased workers have been identified as Rajkumar Ramkishore, 36, Rajesh Ramchand, 34, and Mashukli Sultanali, all residents of Uttar Pradesh. They were engaged in unloading timber cargo from the vessel when the incident took place on May 13 between approximately 11:50 am and 12:30 pm.
Officials said the workers were found unconscious near the entry point of Cargo Hold No. 3. The unloading operation was being handled by Rishi Shipping India Private Limited, while DBC and Sons acted as the vessel’s shipping agent. The workers were reportedly employed by Meera Cargo Handling Company, which was operating under the supervision of the shipping contractor.
According to preliminary findings from the Kandla Marine Police Station, the deaths may have been caused by the accumulation of methane gas inside the enclosed cargo hold.
Police Suspect Methane Gas Build-Up
Investigating officer Sub-Inspector Y.P. Gohil stated that the workers allegedly opened the hatch of Cargo Hold No. 3, an action that authorities say should not have been carried out without following safety procedures.
Police explained that chemicals had been sprayed on the wooden cargo during the ship’s voyage as part of a fumigation process designed to protect the timber from pests and contamination. However, such treatments can sometimes result in the build-up of hazardous gases in confined spaces if proper ventilation is not maintained.
Officials suspect methane gas accumulated inside the sealed cargo hold and had not fully dissipated before the hatch was opened.
“Before opening the hatch, sufficient time must be given for the gas to disperse,” the investigating officer reportedly said while describing the sequence of events.
Rescue Attempt Turned Fatal
Authorities believe the tragedy unfolded within minutes. According to investigators, the first worker descended into the cargo hold after opening the hatch and quickly collapsed. Seeing him unconscious, a second worker entered the compartment in an attempt to rescue him but also lost consciousness.
A third worker, described as the team leader, then went inside to help the other two but similarly collapsed after exposure to the toxic environment.
The absence of an immediate response raised suspicion among nearby workers, who later checked the cargo hold and discovered all three men lying unconscious inside.
Rescue personnel and fellow workers reportedly used oxygen masks before entering the area to pull the victims out. They were transported to a nearby hospital in a port ambulance, but doctors declared all three dead on arrival.
Kandla Port Authority Confirms Incident
In an official statement, the Deendayal Port Authority confirmed that emergency rescue operations were launched immediately after the incident was reported. The authority said assistance from the ship’s crew was also taken during the rescue effort.
The statement added that the victims were removed from the cargo hold and rushed for medical treatment without delay, but their lives could not be saved.
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Investigation Underway
Police have registered an accidental death report and launched a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Kandla Port tragedy. Authorities are expected to examine whether established safety protocols for handling fumigated cargo were properly followed before workers entered the enclosed compartment.
Industrial safety experts note that cargo holds carrying chemically treated timber can become extremely dangerous if ventilation checks and gas monitoring procedures are ignored. Maritime operations involving confined spaces typically require strict compliance with safety standards, including air-quality testing and protective equipment.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns over worker safety at busy cargo ports, where laborers often face hazardous conditions while handling large-scale shipping operations. Officials are continuing their inquiry to determine whether negligence or procedural lapses contributed to the deaths.