Deadly Fire at Goa Shipyard Raises Safety Concerns
A fire at Vijai Marine Shipyard in Loutolim, Goa, on October 17, 2025, claimed the lives of three workers and left four others seriously injured, The Maritime Telegraph reports, citing Times of India. The blaze broke out in the late afternoon while seven laborers were welding in a confined area of a vessel under construction. All victims were migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh.
Authorities reported that the fire likely started near an electrical panel on the vessel’s anchor deck. Fresh paint and trapped fumes may have ignited during welding. Firefighters brought the blaze under control after more than 30 minutes of intense effort.
Two workers were pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital, and another succumbed to injuries later. Four others remain hospitalized with severe burns. Officials confirmed that it was a fire, not an explosion, though the damage to the vessel was significant.
The incident has sparked renewed calls from labor unions and the public for stricter enforcement of safety regulations in Indian shipyards. Families of the victims have demanded accountability and proper compensation.
