An explosion on a boat carrying raw sewage in New York City has resulted in the death of a longtime city employee. The incident occurred on Saturday morning around 10:30 a.m. near the North River Wastewater Treatment Plant, where the city-owned vessel was docked.
Authorities reported that the blast injured another worker, who was taken to the hospital. A third worker was present but declined medical treatment. The U.S. Coast Guard stated that the crew was performing work involving flames or sparks when the explosion happened.
First responders found a 59-year-old man unconscious in the river. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Although his name has not been released, New York City Mayor Eric Adams praised him as a dedicated public servant who had worked for the city’s Department of Environmental Protection for 33 years. The mayor expressed condolences to the man’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.
The explosion caused raw sewage to spill over the boat’s deck, requiring firefighters and other responders to undergo decontamination. Fortunately, the Department of Environmental Protection indicated that there were no significant environmental impacts following the incident. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, but officials do not suspect any criminal intent.