A worker with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) died, and two others sustained injuries on Saturday morning when an explosion occurred on a raw sewage transport boat in the Hudson River.
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) reported receiving a call about an explosion aboard the city-owned vessel, Hunts Point, just after 10:30 a.m. Upon arrival, emergency crews found evidence of a significant explosion in one of the holding tanks, according to FDNY Deputy Assistant Chief David Simms. The vessel is utilized to transport untreated sewage from New York City to a wastewater treatment facility, Simms stated.
While two employees survived the incident, a third worker died after being caught in the force of the explosion between the pier and the vessel, officials confirmed. FDNY personnel attempted a “technical extrication” to reach the trapped employee, but the individual was pronounced dead at the scene. The DEP confirmed that the deceased employee was working on the vessel, which was docked at the North River Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility in West Harlem.
One injured employee was transported to a hospital for treatment, while the other declined medical attention at the scene, according to officials. The condition of the hospitalized employee is currently unknown. Due to the nature of the explosion, raw sewage was present on the ship’s deck, necessitating decontamination procedures for all responding FDNY personnel.
Deputy Assistant Chief Simms noted that the response to the incident involved a significant deployment of resources, including three engine companies, two ladder companies, a chief officer, four units from the marine division, a hazardous materials battalion, and a safety battalion.
Officials have not yet determined the cause of the explosion, stating that the Bureau of Fire Investigation is currently conducting an inquiry. “The entire DEP family is grieving today,” said DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “Our employee who lost his life had served the Department and the City with dedication for 33 years.” Commissioner Aggarwala further added, “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.”
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