NEW YORK, May 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — One worker was killed and two others injured after a vessel that transports sewage exploded on New York’s Hudson River while it was docked on Saturday, according to officials.
The explosion, near a wastewater treatment plant, was reportedly linked to “hot work aboard a docked boat,” the US Coast Guard said in a statement on X.
The Coast Guard said it responded to the reported explosion around 10:30 a.m. local time.
The explosion occurred on a motorized city vessel named Hunts Point that transports raw sewage, New York Fire Department Deputy Assistant Chief David Simms said at a press conference.
One person was killed by the force of the explosion between the pier and the vessel itself, according to Simms. The cause of the explosion is under investigation by the Bureau of Fire.
The worker who was killed has not been publicly identified. A statement from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection said he had worked for the agency for 33 years.
Another employee was taken to the hospital. A third refused medical treatment at the scene.
The cause of the blast is being investigated, but New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement there is “no suspicion of criminality.”
Adams’ statement said: “I am devastated to hear about the tragic death of a dedicated Department of Environmental Protection employee who lost his life today while working on a boat at one of our city’s wastewater resource recovery facilities. This devoted public servant gave 33 years of service to New York City, and our hearts go out to his family, friends, and colleagues during this painful time.”
All FDNY personnel at the incident had to be decontaminated, according to Simms. — NNN-AGENCIES
