According to the Times of India, in the past four years, 153 marine accidents have occurred off the Indian coast and 66 people have died in these mishaps. In a written reply in Lok Sabha on Monday, shipping minister G K Vasan said seven people died in such accidents in 2009 while the toll was 24 this year.
The reply said 78 ships involved in accidents had Indian flags. The nature of casualty included accidental death, collision, man overboard, fire, loss of ship and sinking
The minister also submitted that the government had stipulated that cargo ships above 25 years, oil tankers above 20 years and gas carriers above 30 years entering Indian ports, anchorages and offshore facilities should be classed with India Register of Shipping or any one of the 12 societies of International Association Classification Society.
Source: The Times of India