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A 28-Year-old sailor from the Royal Australian Navy was killed when his gun went off on board the HMAS Toowoomba, a frigate berthed at the Indira Dock in the city after finishing a six-month tour in the waters of North Africa and the Middle East.
While the Mumbai Police claimed to be in the dark about the incident, Australia's Defence Department confirmed the death, stating the sailor was alone in his cabin when he died and that it was not yet clear whether the gunshot wound was self-inflicted or accidental.
"The Chief of Navy and all members of the Navy family are saddened by this loss and offer their condolences to the family," a statement by the Defence Department said. The name, age and rank of the sailor were, however, not provided.
ABC News quoted Australia's Defence Minister Stephen Smith as saying: "It is gunshot-related, but it'll be the subject of an exhaustive investigation by the Australian Defence Force Investigative Service and so for that reason alone it would be inappropriate to go into any further detail."
"The family has asked for privacy reasons that the sailor not be identified and we want that to be respected. We're also making sure that his mates on board — the sailors — are being offered every support and counselling as required," the minister said.
Staff from the Australian Defence Force Investigation Service was expected to land in the city on Monday night to begin the probe.
"I am not aware of any such incident having taken place," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Port Zone) Tanaji Ghadge said. Officers at the Yellow Gate police station said they were aware of HMAS Toowoomba being docked in Mumbai and that the crew had been in touch with the police for immigration checks. "But we have not received any such report from the Australian ship," said Police Inspector Bharat Bhoite of Yellow Gate police station.
On Saturday, a press conference had been held on board the vessel, during which its commanding officer Andrew Quinn had discussed the operations the HMAS Toowomba was involved in and stressed the importance of maritime collaboration between Australia and India, which would help keep trade lines safe from piracy.
The Ship
HMAS Toowoomba, an ANZAC class frigate with a crew of 190 sailors and officers, is on its way home after a six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Slipper
While on deployment, the crew had been kept busy with multiple boardings and delivered medical assistance to nearby vessels
Australian Navy sailor killed as gun goes off aboard ship docked in Mumbai | idrw.org
While the Mumbai Police claimed to be in the dark about the incident, Australia's Defence Department confirmed the death, stating the sailor was alone in his cabin when he died and that it was not yet clear whether the gunshot wound was self-inflicted or accidental.
"The Chief of Navy and all members of the Navy family are saddened by this loss and offer their condolences to the family," a statement by the Defence Department said. The name, age and rank of the sailor were, however, not provided.
ABC News quoted Australia's Defence Minister Stephen Smith as saying: "It is gunshot-related, but it'll be the subject of an exhaustive investigation by the Australian Defence Force Investigative Service and so for that reason alone it would be inappropriate to go into any further detail."
"The family has asked for privacy reasons that the sailor not be identified and we want that to be respected. We're also making sure that his mates on board — the sailors — are being offered every support and counselling as required," the minister said.
Staff from the Australian Defence Force Investigation Service was expected to land in the city on Monday night to begin the probe.
"I am not aware of any such incident having taken place," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Port Zone) Tanaji Ghadge said. Officers at the Yellow Gate police station said they were aware of HMAS Toowoomba being docked in Mumbai and that the crew had been in touch with the police for immigration checks. "But we have not received any such report from the Australian ship," said Police Inspector Bharat Bhoite of Yellow Gate police station.
On Saturday, a press conference had been held on board the vessel, during which its commanding officer Andrew Quinn had discussed the operations the HMAS Toowomba was involved in and stressed the importance of maritime collaboration between Australia and India, which would help keep trade lines safe from piracy.
The Ship
HMAS Toowoomba, an ANZAC class frigate with a crew of 190 sailors and officers, is on its way home after a six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Slipper
While on deployment, the crew had been kept busy with multiple boardings and delivered medical assistance to nearby vessels
Australian Navy sailor killed as gun goes off aboard ship docked in Mumbai | idrw.org
