Unique icebreaker catches fire in Russian Vladivostok: fatality and injuries reported

A fire broke out on the Katerina Velikaya multifunctional ice-breaking supply vessel in the Russian city of Vladivostok, resulting in one fatality and three injuries.

Source: Kremlin-aligned news agency RIA Novosti; Russian Far Eastern Transport Prosecutor's Office on Telegram

Quote from the Prosecutor’s Office: "At around 03:00 today, a fire broke out at the Dalzavod Ship-Repair Centre in Primorsky Krai, involving the Katerina Velikaya multifunctional supply vessel. The fire has been extinguished. Early reports indicate that three people have been taken to hospital, and one person has died."

Details: The State Emergency Service of the Primorsky Krai reported that smoke was coming from the stern of the vessel when the firefighters arrived, and smoke was also in the holds. Rescue workers saved five people, of whom three were injured due to the "impact of dangerous fire factors."

It is reported that the fire damaged a technological compartment of about 50 square metres. The fire's cause and the damage's extent are being investigated.

The Katerina Velikaya multifunctional ice-breaking supply vessel was called a "unique vessel" and a "mega icebreaker." It was launched from the Zvezda Shipyard in 2020. Reportedly, the vessel can break through Arctic ice up to 1.5 metres thick.

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