The MV Wan Hai 503, bound for Mumbai from Colombo, reported an explosion leading to a fire that prompted 18 crew members to be rescued. Singapore is assisting in the ongoing rescue efforts, but four crew members are still unaccounted for.
Cargo Ship Fire in Arabian Sea Leads to Rescue Operations, Four Crew Members Missing
Cargo Ship Fire in Arabian Sea Leads to Rescue Operations, Four Crew Members Missing
Rescue efforts continue for four crew members after a Singapore-flagged cargo ship caught fire off the coast of Kerala, India.
The Indian Coast Guard remains active in extinguishing the flames on the MV Wan Hai 503, a Singapore-flagged cargo vessel that encountered a catastrophic situation in the Arabian Sea close to India's southern state of Kerala. The vessel, which was traveling from Sri Lanka's Colombo to Mumbai, experienced an internal explosion on Monday, leading to a significant fire that continues to pose challenges for rescue operations.
As of now, the Coast Guard has successfully rescued 18 of the ship's 22 crew members, while four crew members are reported missing, including two from Taiwan, one from Myanmar, and one from Indonesia. The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) has dispatched a team to assist in the ongoing search efforts.
Footage from Tuesday highlighted how the MV Wan Hai 503 was emanating dense smoke while the Indian Navy and Coast Guard battled the blaze. Despite their efforts, the situation remains dire, with officials indicating that fires and explosions are still visible on the ship.
Moreover, Kerala's Ports Minister VN Vasavan revealed that a total of 50 containers fell into the sea during the incident. The vessel was reportedly carrying around 100 tonnes of bunker oil, prompting the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) to issue warnings regarding potential oil spills and debris along the coast.
These errant containers are currently observed drifting along the Kerala coastline, with predictions that they could reach shore in the forthcoming days. This incident marks the second such occurrence in a matter of weeks near the region, following a previous incident in which a Liberian-flagged vessel containing oil and hazardous materials sank.
That prior event led the state government to impose a fishing ban within a 20-nautical mile radius of the wreck site, prioritizing the safety of local fishing communities and the unique biodiversity of Kerala’s coastal waters, a vital resource for both locals and tourists.
As of now, the Coast Guard has successfully rescued 18 of the ship's 22 crew members, while four crew members are reported missing, including two from Taiwan, one from Myanmar, and one from Indonesia. The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) has dispatched a team to assist in the ongoing search efforts.
Footage from Tuesday highlighted how the MV Wan Hai 503 was emanating dense smoke while the Indian Navy and Coast Guard battled the blaze. Despite their efforts, the situation remains dire, with officials indicating that fires and explosions are still visible on the ship.
Moreover, Kerala's Ports Minister VN Vasavan revealed that a total of 50 containers fell into the sea during the incident. The vessel was reportedly carrying around 100 tonnes of bunker oil, prompting the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) to issue warnings regarding potential oil spills and debris along the coast.
These errant containers are currently observed drifting along the Kerala coastline, with predictions that they could reach shore in the forthcoming days. This incident marks the second such occurrence in a matter of weeks near the region, following a previous incident in which a Liberian-flagged vessel containing oil and hazardous materials sank.
That prior event led the state government to impose a fishing ban within a 20-nautical mile radius of the wreck site, prioritizing the safety of local fishing communities and the unique biodiversity of Kerala’s coastal waters, a vital resource for both locals and tourists.
