A sewage barge exploded on the Hudson River during New York City’s Fleet Week, killing one worker and injuring two others.
The blast occurred around 10:30 a.m. Saturday on a Department of Environmental Protection vessel docked near West 138th Street in Manhattan, according to officials.
The barge, which was transporting raw sewage to the North River Wastewater Treatment Plant, suddenly exploded, sending a 59-year-old man flying into the river.
“Officials arrived at the scene to find a large explosion had ripped through the ship’s hull,” the police said.
The worker, who was welding the hull at the time of the explosion, became trapped between the ship and the dock and died from his injuries.
It is unclear whether the fatal injuries were caused by the blast or the impact after he was thrown into the water.
Two other DEP employees on board were rushed to local hospitals.
Their conditions were not immediately known.
Investigators believe the explosion was caused by a welding malfunction, with highly flammable methane produced by the raw sewage potentially igniting during the process.
Hazmat crews were seen at the scene, working to decontaminate the vessel, assess methane levels, and remove sludge and oil that had leaked into the water.
The FDNY stated that it was too early to determine whether the explosion was accidental.
Emergency services, including helicopters and rescue boats, rushed to the scene, with responders seen carefully navigating a narrow gangway to reach the blast site.
The investigation into the fatal incident is ongoing.
The plant’s operations were unaffected by the explosion.
According to DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala, the worker who died had served the city for more than 30 years.
He stated, “Today, the entire DEP family is grieving.”
“He was a valued and experienced member of the Bureau of Wastewater Treatment, and his decades of service reflect his commitment to DEP’s mission.”
In a statement, Mayor Eric Adams said, “I am devastated to learn about the tragic death of a dedicated Department of Environmental Protection employee who died today while working on a boat at one of our city’s wastewater resource recovery facilities.”
“This dedicated public servant served New York City for 33 years, and our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues at this difficult time.
“At this time, there is no suspicion of criminal activity and no impact on the facility.
“The safety and well-being of our city’s workforce, and all New Yorkers, is always our top priority, and we are committed to fully supporting an investigation and ensuring that every possible measure is taken to prevent such tragedies in the future.”
