An explosion Saturday morning aboard a sewage boat docked on New York City’s Hudson River killed one city worker and injured two others, according to officials.
Three Department of Environmental Protection employees were working on the vessel docked at the North River Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility in West Harlem when it exploded around 10:30 a.m. Eastern time, according to New York City Fire Department Deputy Assistant Chief David Simms.
A video captured thick black smoke billowing into the air.
According to Simms, one DEP employee died at the scene of the explosion, which occurred near 135th Street in Manhattan. Two others were transported to nearby hospitals. The conditions were not provided.
“Upon arrival, units discovered a large explosion had occurred in one of the holds on the tank,” according to Simms. “This vessel transports raw sewage from New York City to the sewage treatment plant.”
The deceased victim “was blown by the force of the explosion in between the pier and the vessel itself,” Simms stated.
Someone who was driving in the area told CBS News New York that he felt the ground shake.
“I smell something and I am not knowing exactly what it is and then next thing you know, boom,” according to David Simon. “I believe something just hit the floor because trucks drop their loads, causing vibrations throughout the park. As I get closer up here, I hear an explosion on a boat.”
Simms said the cause of the explosion is being investigated. The U.S. Coast Guard stated on X that the “incident” was “reportedly linked to hot work aboard a docked boat.”
According to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, “at this time, there is no suspicion of criminality and no impact on the facility.”
NYC worker dies in boat explosion
DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala said in a statement that the worker who was killed had worked for the city for over 30 years. His name was not immediately released.
“The entire DEP family is grieving today,” Aggarwala said. She continued: “He was a valued and experienced member of the Bureau of Wastewater Treatment, and his decades of service reflect his commitment to DEP’s mission.”
In his statement, Adams stated that he was “devastated to hear about the tragic death of a dedicated Department of Environmental Protection employee who died today while working on a boat at one of our city’s wastewater resource recovery facilities.” This dedicated public servant served New York City for 33 years, and our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues at this difficult time.”
A city official told CBS News New York that the explosion appears to have had no environmental impact at this time.
In a social media post, the US Coast Guard stated that no pollution had been reported in the Hudson River following the explosion, describing the “situation as stable.”
Officials said the plant’s operations remained unaffected.