A fire at Vijay Marine Shipyard in Loutolim, Goa, on October 17, 2025, killed three workers and injured four others. The blaze erupted around 5:30 p.m. while seven laborers were welding inside a confined section of a vessel under construction. Authorities said all victims were migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh.
Initial reports suggest the fire began near an electrical panel on the vessel’s anchor deck. The ship had been freshly painted, and trapped fumes likely ignited during welding. Firefighters battled the flames for over 30 minutes before bringing the situation under control.
Two workers were declared dead on arrival at district hospital, while another died later on Saturday. Four others remain hospitalized with severe burn injuries.
Officials confirmed that the incident was a fire, not an explosion, but the damage was extensive. Families of the victims accused the shipyard management of negligence and demanded compensation and the repatriation of the bodies.
The tragedy has reignited public anger and calls from labor unions for stricter enforcement of safety rules in India’s shipyards.
