Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Four die after suspected copper-pipe theft attempt in Mumbai
Seven men allegedly entered a grounded ship near Mumbai to steal copper pipes.
The ship was called MT Al Jafzia.
Police said a blast happened near the engine room.
They suspect a pipe connected to the air-conditioning system burst while it was being cut.
Gas may have escaped from the pipe.
Four men died after breathing in the gas.
One survivor, Vijaya Premnath Sanjiva, was injured and briefly lost consciousness.
Two other men reportedly helped him escape and are still missing.
Four men died inside the grounded tanker MT Al Jafzia near Manori Island, police said.
Seven men allegedly entered the Nicaragua-flagged vessel on Saturday evening to cut and steal copper pipes.
A blast occurred near the engine room during the suspected theft attempt.
Police suspect a burst air-conditioning pipe released gas, causing four men to suffocate.
Three men escaped; survivor Vijaya Premnath Sanjiva suffered facial injuries, while two associates remain absconding.
- Who
- Seven men allegedly entered the vessel; four died, one was injured, and two escaped and remain absconding.
- What
- A suspected copper-pipe theft attempt ended after a blast and suspected gas release inside a grounded tanker.
- When
- Saturday evening.
- Where
- Inside the Nicaragua-flagged MT Al Jafzia near Manori Island in Mumbai waters.
- Why
- Police suspect the men were trying to cut and steal copper pipes.
- Deaths
- Four men died.
- Vessel
- Nicaragua-flagged MT Al Jafzia, a grounded merchant vessel.
- Suspected target
- Copper pipes.
- Incident location
- Near the engine room.
- Suspected cause
- A pipe connected to the air-conditioning system may have burst and released gas.
- Survivor
- Vijaya Premnath Sanjiva, 40, suffered facial injuries and inhaled the gas.
- Missing associates
- Two men who allegedly helped the survivor escape are absconding.