New York – An explosion in a boat that transported raw wastewater that was docked on the Hudson River in New York City killed an employee of the city for a long time on Saturday, authorities said.
Another worker on the Point Hunts boat, owned by the city, was injured and taken to the hospital after the explosion around 10:30 am, near the North River wastewater treatment plant, according to the deputy director of the Fire Department, David Simms. A third worker rejected medical treatment.
The cause of the explosion was under investigation, but the mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, said in a statement that the criminal intention was not suspected. The men in the boat, which takes raw wastewater from the city to be treated, were doing a job that involved a flame or sparks when the explosion occurred, said the United States Coast Guard on social networks.
The first to respond found an unconscious 59 -year -old man in the river, said New York Police, and was declared dead on the scene.
The man had been an employee for a long time in the city’s environmental protection department. His name has not been released, but the mayor said he was “a helpful devout who gave 33 years of service to New York City, and our hearts are with his family, friends and colleagues during this painful time.”
The explosion extended raw wastewater on the boat cover, and firefighters and other lifeguards had to be decontaminated, Simms said. DEP said there was no environmental impact after the explosion.
