At least 18 sailors were injured in an explosion aboard a ship at a U.S. naval base in San Diego, California.
The San Diego Fire Department said that the sailors are currently being treated for a “variety of injuries” following the explosion aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard on Sunday, and firefighters are battling a three-alarm fire on the ship.
Explosion with at least one injury at the USS Bonhomme Richard. #shipfire pic.twitter.com/HooWIRcjU4
— SDFD (@SDFD) July 12, 2020
Several sailors are being treated for a variety of injuries. #shipfire pic.twitter.com/dNUzBEJbBZ
— SDFD (@SDFD) July 12, 2020
Multiple agencies at scene with SDFD – 3455 Senn St. working a military ship fire. #shipfire pic.twitter.com/9u9HqDUM32
— SDFD (@SDFD) July 12, 2020
Naval Surfaces Forces initially reported that 11 sailors had “been transported to the hospital for minor injuries” and that the entire crew of the vessel is off the ship and accounted for. The group later indicated that another seven sailors were taken to the hospital for “non-life-threatening injuries.” About 160 sailors were aboard at the time of the fire, and the ship with a crew of 1,000 was undergoing maintenance.
The fire was called away at approx. 8:30 AM, July 12. Approx. 160 Sailors were aboard at the time. @LHD6BHR is going through a maintenance availability and has a crew size of approx. 1000. 18 Sailors have been transferred to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
— Naval Surface Forces (@SurfaceWarriors) July 12, 2020
The cause of the fire is not currently known, but the Navy told Fox News that it does not suspect any “foul play.”
The USS Bonhomme Richard is an assault-style ship built to transport equipment, troops, and landing boats. Before it arrived in San Diego in 2018, the ship spent six years in Japan as part of the U.S. Forward Deployed Naval Force.
