In an unfortunate incident, a sailor was reportedly killed by a steam blast aboard a container ship died of multiple injuries.
What happened?
Celso Banas, 35, from the Philippines, was working on the Manhattan Bridge at Felixstowe Port when he died in January.
A second man was severely burned in the explosion in the ship’s boiler room.
Oncoming investigation:
An investigation involving Suffolk Police and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has been going on.
The Japanese container ship was docked at the Trinity Terminal just before midnight on 19 January when the explosion happened.
Boiler backfired:
At the time, the ship’s owners ‘K’ Line Europe said a “boiler back-fire” happened while the vessel was berthing.
Witnesses described hearing the blast up to 10 miles away.
Struck by debris:
Assistant Suffolk coroner Kevin McCarthy said: “At some point during his shift he was working in the boiler room when an explosion of steam caused debris to fly all over the place and Mr Banas was struck by debris.”
Condolences offered:
A post-mortem examination gave the medical cause of death as multiple injuries.
Mr McCarthy asked that his “sincere and heartfelt condolences” were sent to the family of Mr Banas in the Philippines.
The full inquest will take place in July.
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