A tragedy struck Paradip port when a Filipino crew member lost his life after falling from a height of 30 feet while cleaning the crane cabin. This unfortunate incident, which occurred on Wednesday, marks the second fatality involving crew members within a month, raising concerns about safety protocols at the port.
The incident took place aboard the Malta-flagged vessel MV Yuka D, which arrived at Paradip port from Chittagong port in Bangladesh to load approximately 27,000 MT of cargo. The vessel, with 21 crew members on board, saw 26-year-old Quirao Earl Wilhelm Azarcon, a Filipino seaman, fatally injured while cleaning the crane cabin at a considerable height. Despite efforts, Azarcon succumbed to severe head and facial injuries sustained from the fall.
Reports indicate lapses in safety measures, with local workers asserting that Azarcon’s death could have been prevented had he been equipped with a safety belt during the task.
Babita Dehury, IIC of Marine police Station, confirmed that an unnatural death case has been registered, and investigations are underway to determine the cause. Azarcon’s body has been sent for a postmortem at Kujang Hospital, with efforts made to expedite the process for repatriating his remains to his family, with the Philippines Embassy notified accordingly.
This incident follows another tragic fatality last month, involving 28-year-old contract worker Bibhuti Barik, who suffocated due to oxygen deprivation while working aboard the MV Thrasyvoulos at the South Quay, highlighting ongoing safety concerns at the port.
