‘All that I remember is a blast and a hand pulling me’

The Malad resident is at present recovering at Prince Aly Khan Hospital, Mazgaon.

Commander Kuntal Wadhwa, who died of blunt injuries to his head in the mishap, was testing the vessel’s fire extinguishers in an enclosed compartment. The force with which the cap came off the extinguisher caused the door to open and gas to leak out.

“The door opened, and I could not understand what happened. I could hardly see the person in the compartment and was trying to find a way out. Suddenly, a hand, which I think was that of the Navy officer, supported me and pushed me backwards,” said Kazi, who has been working with MDL for 35 years.

santoshee.mishra@expressindia.com