An Indian naval officer has died after leading firefighting efforts when flames broke out on board India’s only operational aircraft carrier.

The fire started on Friday morning as the INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier entered the harbor of its home port of Karwar, just south of the popular holiday destination of Goa.

Lieutenant Commander DS Chauhan “bravely led the firefighting efforts in the affected compartment,” the Indian Navy said, as quoted by local media. The fire was brought under control, but the officer lost consciousness and was evacuated to a nearby naval hospital, but efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.

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An investigation into what caused the fire has started, but the navy said that, thanks to the “swift action” of the ship’s crew, the warship did not suffer any serious damage which would affect combat capability.

Purchased from Russia in 2004 for $2.35 billion, the modified Kiev-class carrier was commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2013. Currently the only carrier operational in India’s inventory, it is capable of carrying up to 30 aircraft including the MiG-29K fighter jet.

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