A major maritime emergency has unfolded off the Kerala coast after a Singapore-flagged container vessel, MV Wan Hai 503, caught fire in the Arabian Sea on Sunday. The ship, enroute from Colombo to Mumbai, was carrying over 650 containers—many filled with hazardous materials—when the blaze erupted.
Underdeck Fire Not Explosion, Confirms Navy
Initial reports described a possible explosion on board. However, the Indian Navy has since confirmed the incident stemmed from an underdeck fire, not a blast. The alarm was raised around 10:30 AM IST on June 9, when smoke was detected approximately 78 nautical miles off the Beypore coast near Kozhikode.
Swift Indian Response Saves Lives
In one of the region’s fastest coordinated maritime rescue efforts, the Indian Navy and Coast Guard deployed major assets including INS Surat, INS Sutlej, and Coast Guard ships Samudra Prahari, Rajdoot, and Sachet. A Dornier aircraft from INS Garuda in Kochi supported aerial firefighting and reconnaissance.
Eighteen of the 22 crew members—from China, Taiwan, Myanmar, and Indonesia—were rescued and airlifted to Mangaluru for medical treatment. Two are being treated for serious burn injuries, while four remain missing at sea.
Flammable Chemicals Raise Coastal Alarm
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority revealed that the ship was transporting chemicals classified under Class 3, 4.1, 4.2, and 6.1 hazardous materials, including nitrocellulose, naphthalene, lithium batteries, and pesticides.
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) issued a coastal drift and oil spill advisory, warning that toxic debris and oil residue may drift toward the Kerala shoreline, especially between Kozhikode and Kochi. A 100-ton oil spill simulation is underway to assess environmental risk.
Vessel Stability Threatened as Fire Rages On
Despite aggressive containment efforts, the ship remains adrift and ablaze. The fire, which originated midship near the container bay, has caused the vessel to tilt 10–15 degrees, with several containers already lost to the sea. Coast Guard ship Samarth has joined ongoing operations as INS Suraj returns to assist.
Global Recognition for India’s Rescue Operation
India’s quick action has received international praise, with Singapore and China commending the Navy’s precision, professionalism, and commitment to maritime safety. A salvage master has been deployed to oversee further inspection, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the incident.
Search for Missing Crew Continues
The search for the four missing crew members continues across a wide swath of the Arabian Sea. Indian authorities are using satellite imaging, sea current modeling, and coordinated vessel patrolling to widen the search grid.
Last Updated on: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 7:23 pm by K Nikhil | Published by: K Nikhil on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 3:07 am | News Categories: India, News
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