NEW YORK (CONVERSEER) – A worker with New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has died, and two others were injured following a powerful explosion aboard a city-owned sewage vessel on Saturday morning in the Hudson River.
The incident occurred shortly after 10:30 a.m. on the Hunts Point, a DEP-operated boat used to transport raw sewage. The vessel was docked at the North River Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility in West Harlem when the explosion occurred.
According to Fox News, emergency crews from the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) responded to the scene after receiving reports of an onboard explosion. On arrival, firefighters discovered a major blast had taken place in one of the tank holds, according to Deputy Assistant Chief David Simms.
Authorities confirmed that while two workers survived, a third was fatally injured in the explosion. The victim, described as a veteran employee with 33 years of service, was reportedly thrown between the pier and the vessel by the force of the blast. Despite FDNY’s attempt at a technical rescue, the worker could not be saved.
“The entire DEP family is grieving today,” DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala said in a statement. “Our employee who lost his life had served the Department and the City with dedication for 33 years. He was a valued and experienced member of the Bureau of Wastewater Treatment, and his decades of service reflect his commitment to DEP’s mission.”
Of the two surviving workers, one was transported to hospital, while the other declined medical attention. The condition of the hospitalised employee remains undisclosed.
Due to the nature of the vessel’s operation, raw sewage was present on the deck following the explosion, prompting FDNY to carry out full decontamination procedures for all personnel involved in the response.
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Chief Simms noted that the FDNY deployed a comprehensive response team, including an all-hands assignment, hazmat units, marine division teams, and safety personnel. “We had four units from our marine division, a hazmat battalion and our safety battalion,” he said.
Officials have not confirmed the cause of the explosion, and the Bureau of Fire Investigation is currently leading an inquiry to determine what triggered the blast.
Despite the deadly incident, plant operations at the North River facility were not disrupted, and officials reported no signs of environmental damage. NYC Water stated in a post on X that the situation remains under control.
As investigations continue, the DEP community mourns the loss of a colleague remembered for his long-standing service and dedication to the city’s vital wastewater infrastructure.