At least five workers were killed and seven others injured in an explosion on board the ONGC oil rig Sagar Bhushan, which was docked at Cochin Shipyard Ltd for maintenance works.

The incident took place at 10.30 am on Tuesday, when the ballast tank of the anchored ONGC ship exploded while workers carrying out welding works. A gas leak from the ballast tank is stated to be the reason for the mishap.

Of the deceased, two were CSL employees and the remaining were contract staff. The injured were admitted to nearby hospitals and the condition of one of them is stated to be serious, having suffered more than 50 per cent burns. Tuesday being a holiday, there were no regular workers at the yard.

CSL announced an immediate ex-gratia of ₹10 lakh each for the kin of the deceased, and ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident.

Sagar Bhushan, the exploratory drill of the ONGC was berthed at the yard on December 7 and later taken to the dry docks on January 12. The ship was undergoing mandatory special survey repairs and it was to be un-docked on February 28. The work was to be completed by April 7.

Police officials said a minor fire and thick fumes which followed the blast had initially hampered rescue operations. The fire was brought under control by fire tenders of CSL. There were reports that people died of suffocation following the explosion.

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