A container ship caught fire off Kerala’s coast; four crew missing, five injured; Navy and Coast Guard in rescue mode.
A Singapore-flagged container ship, MV Wan Hai 503, caught fire 78 nautical miles off Beypore on its way to Navi Mumbai, leaving four of its 22 crew members missing and five injured. Two of the injured are in serious condition. The crew, mainly of Taiwanese nationality, abandoned the burning vessel using lifeboats and life rafts.
The fire, which broke out under the deck, has engulfed the ship, which remains adrift and continues to emit smoke. MV ONE MARVEL, a nearby merchant vessel, was alerted and is assisting with rescue efforts.
Responding swiftly, the Indian Navy and Coast Guard deployed multiple Dornier aircraft and five ships, with more reinforcements, including a naval warship, expected at the site. Authorities are assessing potential navigational hazards and risks of further explosions.
The ship’s owners have been asked to confirm whether hazardous cargo is involved. SMIT Salvage has been contacted for expert assistance. The Directorate of Shipping is coordinating with the Singapore Flag Administration for emergency response and salvage operations.
Source: The Indian Express
