Sailor hangs self aboard navy ship

A 19-year-old navy sailor allegedly committed suicide aboard a ship docked at Lion Gate in Colaba Friday night.

A 19-year-old navy sailor allegedly committed suicide aboard a ship docked at Lion Gate in Colaba Friday night. It was the first day of his sea training.

Police said have registered a case of accidental death. They said Abhishek Kushwaha of Bharsal village in Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh was a new recruit who reported to INS Delhi Friday morning for sea training after a 32-day leave.

At 8.15 pm,an officer found him hanging by a chain used to secure bags.

Kushwaha was administered first aid and transferred to INHS Asvini,the navy hospital in Navy Nagar,where he was declared brought dead.

Police said an autopsy would be conducted at St George Hospital and the report would be available in the next couple of days.

Navy confirmed the death.

The principal medical officer on board the ship administered first aid and the sailor was subsequently transferred to INHS Asvini by 8.50 pm where he was declared brought dead by the duty medical officer. The next of kin of the sailor,who hails from Ballia,UP,were informed. A board of inquiry has been ordered, said spokesperson Narendrakumar Vispute.

Vinod Sawant,senior inspector,Colaba police station,said: We will not know why Kushwaha decided to take his life until we speak to his family. The family is coming to Mumbai in a couple of days to claim the body. We will also record statements of his senior officers.

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This is the second suicide by a sailor in the city this year. On January 6,Melvin Raj of Tamil Nadu ended his life on INS Talwar.

His family said Raj had been sanctioned for alcoholism but was trying to reform. It claimed harassment by seniors and said Raj was distressed by sudden cancellation of his leave.

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