Two crew members of a Maltese-flagged chemical tanker have died following inhalation of toxic fumes while working in one of the ship’s tanks.
The Norwegian police said that the two sailors were airlifted from the vessel on September 1 and taken to a hospital in Alesund after being found unconscious in one of the ship’s tanks.
Once admitted for medical treatment, one of the crew members was declared dead while the other sailor was in critical condition, the police said.
Local media reported that the injured seafarer succumbed to his injuries and died on the following evening.
The two seafarers are believed to have died due to exposure to hydrogen sulphide, however, an investigation into the incident is yet to confirm the suspicions.
The ship in question has been identified as MT Key Fighter, which was instructed to dock at Maloy, Norway, so the crew could be questioned.
The chemical tanker, built in 1989, is registered as part of Sea Tank Chartering’s fleet. The company is yet to provide World Maritime News with a statement on the matter.
World Maritime News Staff