NYC employee of 33 years killed in Harlem boat blast: officials
The blast's force propelled the worker between the pier and the boat, and required him to be extricated, officials said.
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Two other workers were also injured when a large explosion rocked a sewage transport vessel near 138th Street in Harlem. They are expected to survive their injuries, officials said.
'The entire DEP family is grieving today. Our employee who lost his life had served the Department and the City with dedication for 33 years. 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,' said DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala.
City officials say the cause of the explosion remains under investigation, while the U.S. Coast Guard suspects the incident is linked to hot work aboard the barge.
Mayor Eric Adams said at this time, there is no suspicion of criminality and no impact on the sewage treatment plant.
City officials have not disclosed the identity of the deceased.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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