An explosion occurred on a city-owned boat carrying raw sewage docked on the Hudson River in New York City, resulting in the death of a 59-year-old employee from the Department of Environmental Protection. The incident happened around 10:30 a.m. near the North River Wastewater Treatment Plant while workers were engaged in tasks involving flames or sparks, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Another worker was hospitalized with injuries, while a third declined medical treatment. New York City Mayor Eric Adams indicated that criminal intent was not suspected, and the cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
Emergency responders discovered the victim unconscious in the river, where he was ultimately declared dead. The mayor praised the deceased as a dedicated public servant who had served the city for 33 years, expressing condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues during this tragic time.
The explosion caused raw sewage to be ejected onto the vessel’s deck, necessitating decontamination procedures for the first responders involved. Despite the hazardous materials involved, the Department of Environmental Protection reported no significant environmental impacts resulting from the explosion.
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