NEW YORK — A devastating explosion aboard a sewage barge on the Hudson River during New York City’s Fleet Week on Saturday killed one Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) worker and injured two others, triggering a multi-agency emergency response and raising new concerns about safety procedures aboard city-operated vessels.
The explosion occurred around 10:30 a.m. near West 138th Street in Manhattan, where the vessel was docked while transporting raw sewage to the North River Wastewater Treatment Plant, officials confirmed.
The blast — suspected to have been caused by a welding malfunction involving methane gas — tore through the hull of the barge, propelling a 59-year-old DEP worker into the river. Authorities said he was performing welding operations on the hull when the explosion erupted.
“Officials arrived at the scene to find a large explosion had ripped through the ship’s hull,” the NYPD said in a statement.
The victim, whose identity has not yet been publicly released, became trapped between the vessel and the dock, suffering fatal injuries. It remains unclear whether the cause of death was the explosion itself or the impact from being thrown into the water.
Two other DEP employees aboard the vessel were hospitalized with injuries; their conditions have not been disclosed.
Preliminary findings suggest the explosion may have been sparked by an ignition of methane, a highly flammable gas emitted by untreated sewage. Investigators are probing whether the volatile gas ignited during welding, a common risk associated with sewage-related maintenance.
Hazmat crews from FDNY and DEP responded immediately, working to decontaminate the vessel, measure gas concentrations, and contain sludge and oil that leaked into the Hudson River. Officials said the environmental impact is under review.
The explosion prompted a large-scale emergency deployment, including rescue boats, helicopters, and NYPD emergency units, who accessed the damaged vessel via a narrow gangway. Though Fleet Week events continued elsewhere, the scene near the North River plant was cordoned off as a full investigation began.
Authorities have not ruled out an accident, and no criminality is suspected at this time.
Despite the blast, plant operations remained uninterrupted, and no broader service impacts were reported.
In a statement, DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala confirmed the worker who died had served over 30 years with the agency.
“The entire DEP family is grieving today. 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,” Aggarwala said.
Mayor Eric Adams echoed the sentiment, praising the fallen worker’s 33 years of service and promising a thorough investigation.
“This devoted public servant gave 33 years of service to New York City,” Adams said. “Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and colleagues during this painful time.”
“The safety and well-being of our city’s workforce, and all New Yorkers, is always our top priority, and we are committed to fully supporting an investigation and ensuring that every possible measure is taken to prevent such tragedies in the future.”
As the city mourns a life lost in service, officials are now focused on identifying what caused the explosion and implementing steps to prevent future incidents involving hazardous gases and high-risk maintenance operations.
