A mechanical failure caused a cargo sling to slip, shifting a heavy load onto a second crane, causing it to strike the vessel and ignite due to friction.

Mumbai: Two crane operators sustained injuries after a crane burst into flames during cargo discharge operations at BPS port in Mumbai Port on Sunday evening, local police reported.
According to authorities, the accident occurred at approximately 7.30 p.m. on 30 August, involving the Barbados-flagged vessel "Vienna."
"At around 19:30 hrs on 30/08/2026, at the BPS port in Mumbai Port, the vessel 'Vienna,' flying the Barbados flag, was undergoing cargo unloading operations. A 140-metric-ton cargo was being lifted from the vessel with the assistance of two cranes operated by Barkat Company," the Mumbai Police said.
Law enforcement noted that the incident developed following a mechanical failure while hoisting the heavy payload, causing one of the cranes to ignite.
"During the operation, the sling attached to the cargo on one of the cranes became imbalanced and came loose, causing the entire load to shift onto the second crane. As a result, the second crane was lifted off the ground, and its front telescopic boom struck the vessel. Due to friction caused during the incident, the crane caught fire," the Mumbai Police detailed.
Emergency responders from the Mumbai Port Fire Brigade were alerted immediately and rushed to the scene, where fire crews successfully extinguished the blaze.
The mishap resulted in injuries to two workers employed by Barkat Company. "In the incident, crane operator Ranjit Singh and another operator, Nishant Singh, from Barkat Company were injured. They were taken to St. George Hospital for medical treatment," officials confirmed.
An official inquiry has been launched to determine the precise factors that precipitated the failure and subsequent fire. "An investigation into the incident is currently underway," the Mumbai Police added.
ANI
Published: 31 Aug 2026, 10:00 am IST
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