Kochi: A 25-year-old contract diver drowned while carrying out repair work on a naval ship at the Cochin shipyard on Tuesday afternoon.

The deceased has been identified as Anwar Sadath, son of Abubakar, from Puthukode, Malappuram. Anwar, who had five years of experience, worked with a Chullikal-based Diving Academy that supplies divers on contract for ship repair.

According to the police, repair work had been underway since morning. Anwar went underwater in the afternoon but soon lost contact with the safety diver monitoring him from above.

The Ernakulam South police were informed around 4 pm. Anwar was rushed to the hospital but died around 5 pm.

Police said inquest procedures are underway and the body will be sent home after the post-mortem. An investigation into the incident is in progress.