ISLAMABAD, June 17: Minister of State for Defence Zahid Hamid informed the Senate on Friday that 53 persons lost their lives and 59 suffered critical injuries when Pakistan Navy’s ship, PNS Moawin, caught fire on March 10 at Karachi harbour.

It was the first time that the government revealed the actual number of casualties in the incident which had taken place about two months ago. The minister’s statement came in response to an adjournment motion moved by People’s Party Parliamentarians Enver Baig.

Senator Baig had asked the defence ministry to inform the house if the incident was an act of terrorism or result of a human error and if the responsibility had been fixed in the case. He said media reports put the number of casualties much less than the magnitude of the tragedy and the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) did not give details about casualties.

Senator Baig said the defence forces should know that they were answerable to the people of Pakistan and should inform the house if any compensation was paid for the dead and to the injured.

Mr Zahid Hamid told the house that the ship caught fire while undergoing maintenance. He said among the 53 dead nine were officers, 34 sailors and 10 civilians. He said 59 persons were injured, including three officers, 23 sailors and 33 civilians. Seven of the injured were still under treatment, the minister added.

He said the government had earmarked Rs5.05 million for compensation for civilian casualties while the naval officers and sailors would be compensated through a fund established by the Pakistan Navy.