Singapore ship fire off Kerala coast, 4 missing
A massive fire broke out on the Singapore-flagged container ship M V Wan Hai 503 while it was sailing in the Arabian Sea, around 78 nautical miles off the Beypore coast in Kerala. The blaze erupted unexpectedly, prompting a large-scale rescue and firefighting operation by the Indian Coast Guard and other maritime authorities. The ship was en route to Colombo and was carrying various cargo containers at the time of the incident. Investigations are currently underway.
Singapore-Flagged Container Ship Catches Fire Off Kerala Coast; 4 Crew Missing, Rescue Operations Underway
Kochi: A Singapore-flagged container vessel, M V Wan Hai 503, caught fire while en route to Navi Mumbai from Colombo, approximately 78 nautical miles off Beypore on the Kerala coast, defence sources said on Monday. The incident has prompted a large-scale rescue operation involving the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and nearby merchant vessels.
According to a defence spokesperson based in Kochi, the fire broke out onboard the ship on Monday morning. Out of the 22 crew members on board, four are reported missing. Five crew members sustained injuries, of which two are said to be in serious condition.
The M V Wan Hai 503, which departed Colombo on June 7, was expected to reach Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) in Navi Mumbai by June 10. At around 10:30 am on Monday, the Indian Navy received information about an underdeck fire on board the ship. The situation quickly escalated, with flames reportedly engulfing the entire vessel, forcing the crew to evacuate.
The cause of the fire is not yet known. There are also growing concerns regarding the nature of the cargo on board. According to official sources, the ship’s owners have been asked to urgently assess and report the contents of the affected cargo hold, in order to determine whether any hazardous or explosive materials were involved in the incident. As of now, no confirmation has been received on whether dangerous goods contributed to the explosion or fire.
In a swift response to the emergency, the Indian Coast Guard and Navy initiated coordinated rescue operations. The Indian Coast Guard deployed two Dornier surveillance aircraft, while the Navy dispatched one Dornier, all equipped with life rafts to aid any crew adrift in the sea and to conduct aerial situational assessments of the blaze. Additionally, two Coast Guard ships were dispatched immediately and are expected to reach the vessel’s location within hours.
The rescue efforts have been significantly bolstered by the involvement of nearby merchant ships. The vessel MV ONE MARVEL has been tasked with rescuing the abandoned crew members, as it was the closest to the scene. Both merchant ships are expected to play a crucial role in retrieving the stranded sailors and aiding in the initial assessment of the fire-struck vessel.
In total, five Coast Guard ships have been mobilised and are expected to arrive at the scene by 4 pm. Meanwhile, a naval warship, which was already operating in the vicinity, has been diverted to the location and is anticipated to reach the site around 5 pm. These surface assets are carrying additional firefighting and rescue equipment, and personnel trained for high-risk maritime operations.
The exact origin point within the ship remains unclear. While the vessel is not at immediate risk of sinking, concerns remain over the potential for further explosions if the fire spreads to other cargo sections, especially if hazardous materials are present.
The Directorate General of Shipping and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) have been kept in the loop and are overseeing the situation in coordination with Indian maritime authorities. Efforts are also underway to determine the environmental impact of the fire, particularly if fuel tanks or cargo chemicals leak into the sea.
As of the latest update, search and rescue operations for the missing crew members are ongoing, and the focus remains on ensuring their safe recovery. The injured sailors are likely to be transferred to the closest port city for medical treatment once rescued. Their identities and nationalities have not yet been publicly disclosed.
The Indian Coast Guard and Navy have reiterated their commitment to maintaining safety at sea and have assured continued coordination until the situation is fully under control. Maritime safety experts are also expected to conduct an investigation to determine the cause of the fire once the immediate danger has been addressed.
The incident is a stark reminder of the challenges and dangers of maritime transport, particularly in container shipping, where fires can quickly escalate beyond control due to the volatile nature of some cargo materials. Authorities are urging greater transparency from shipping companies regarding cargo manifests to prevent such situations from escalating undetected.
Further details are awaited as the rescue mission progresses. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available from defence sources and maritime authorities.