Gas blast kills mechanic on Namibian vessel in Suva

A foreign national in his 40s died following an alleged gas explosion aboard the MV Helena Ndume, at the Port of Suva late last month.

Police said the alleged accident occurred on October 30 in the vessel’s engine room, where the man, a mechanic, sustained fatal injuries.

He was rushed to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, but was later pronounced dead.

The MV Helena Ndume (IMO: 8510817) is a Namibian-flagged fishing vessel. She is berthed at the Port of Suva as investigations continue into the cause of the explosion.

The National Fire Authority (NFA) said it responded promptly to a distress call at 1:39pm that day, reporting that a crew member was trapped inside the ship’s engine room.

Fire crews from the Suva Fire Station arrived at 1:43pm and confirmed the presence of R-12 (Dichlorodifluoromethane), a hazardous refrigerant chemical that poses serious inhalation risks.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and confined-space rescue gear entered the engine room to extract the trapped man.

NFA chief executive officer Puamau Sowane said tragedy served as a reminder of the importance of strict workplace safety measures, particularly in industrial and marine operations.

“We urge all employers to ensure proper safety protocols are in place when dealing with hazardous materials or enclosed spaces,” he said.

Investigations continue.

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