VISAKHAPATNAM, Oct3: A preliminary report based on the log of M V Nanga Parbat - the ship that was pumping LPG to the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) refinery on the day the fire broke out - shows negligence on the part of refinery authorities.Police sources say their preliminary findings, which are based on details recorded in the captain's log, show that the leak was known to the authorities at least 25 minutes before the blast took place at around 6.54 am.Sources say the captain recorded details of the LPG discharge at 6 am, 6.15 am, 6.18 am and 6.20 am in the vessel's log sheet. The log sheet shows the gas being pumped in reverse between 6.10 am and 6.20 am. Since the reverse pumping occurs whenever there is a leakage, the captain of the ship ordered his ship moved out to the high seas.Police commissioner R P Meena is believed to have decided to summon the captain to ascertain the details. Experts from the Forensic Science Laboratory have also been requested to look into technical aspects after going through the captain's version. They are expected to arrive here within a day or two.It is clear that many lives could have been saved if the HPCL authorities had swung into action immediately after the leak was detected at 6.20 am.
