At least three fishermen were today killed and seven others injured when their trawler caught fire in sea due to a cooking gas cylinder blast.
"Three bodies have been recovered from the fishing trawler near Paradip. Seven others have also sustained burn injuries," Captain Atul Mohapatra of marine division of Paradip Port Trust (PPT) said.
The incident took place this morning about 40 km from the coast here when the fishermen were preparing breakfast in the trawler by using cooking gas, he said.
Three persons died on the spot, Captain Mohapatra said, adding that three others sustained serious burn injuries while four persons minor injuries.
The seriously injured fishermen have been shifted to SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack while the ones with minor injuries have been admitted at the PPT hospital here.
The deceased were identified as Gopal Haldhar, Balaram Bardhan and Mahadeb Behera of Balasore district.
The fishing trawler, carrying about 15 fishermen, was fishing near here since three days, the marine police station sources said, adding that the fire in the trawler appeared to be accidental.
The remaining five persons escaped unhurt.
