Authorities in India are working tirelessly to control a fire aboard the MV Wan Hai 503, with four crew members still unaccounted for following a fierce internal explosion.
Cargo Ship Fire Off India's Coast: Search for Missing Crew Intensifies
Cargo Ship Fire Off India's Coast: Search for Missing Crew Intensifies
Rescue operations ongoing for missing crew after Singapore-flagged cargo ship catches fire in the Arabian Sea.
The Indian Coast Guard is leading the response to a dramatic cargo ship fire in the Arabian Sea, just off the coast of Kerala. The MV Wan Hai 503, which set sail from Colombo, Sri Lanka, bound for Mumbai, India, suffered an internal explosion that resulted in a catastrophic blaze on Monday.
While 18 of the vessel's total 22 crew members were successfully rescued, the search continues for four missing individuals, 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 rescue operations.
In the wake of the incident, large clouds of smoke were observed emanating from the burning ship as the Indian Navy and Coast Guard deployed resources to extinguish the flames. Reports indicate ongoing fires and explosions aboard the MV Wan Hai 503, which was carrying a considerable cargo load, including 100 tonnes of bunker oil.
As a precautionary measure, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued alerts along the Kerala coast for potential oil spills and drifting debris. Additionally, Kerala Ports Minister VN Vasavan disclosed that at least 50 containers from the ship had fallen into the sea, raising fears over a possible environmental disaster.
This incident marks a troubling trend, as it follows closely on the heels of another maritime disaster involving a Liberian-flagged vessel that sank in the same region last month, releasing hazardous material into the ocean. Fishing activities have been prohibited within 20 nautical miles of the previous wreck, as authorities aim to protect the vital marine ecosystem and the livelihood of local fishing communities.
Kerala's coastline, known for its rich biodiversity and tourism appeal, remains under close watch as the situation unfolds.
While 18 of the vessel's total 22 crew members were successfully rescued, the search continues for four missing individuals, 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 rescue operations.
In the wake of the incident, large clouds of smoke were observed emanating from the burning ship as the Indian Navy and Coast Guard deployed resources to extinguish the flames. Reports indicate ongoing fires and explosions aboard the MV Wan Hai 503, which was carrying a considerable cargo load, including 100 tonnes of bunker oil.
As a precautionary measure, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued alerts along the Kerala coast for potential oil spills and drifting debris. Additionally, Kerala Ports Minister VN Vasavan disclosed that at least 50 containers from the ship had fallen into the sea, raising fears over a possible environmental disaster.
This incident marks a troubling trend, as it follows closely on the heels of another maritime disaster involving a Liberian-flagged vessel that sank in the same region last month, releasing hazardous material into the ocean. Fishing activities have been prohibited within 20 nautical miles of the previous wreck, as authorities aim to protect the vital marine ecosystem and the livelihood of local fishing communities.
Kerala's coastline, known for its rich biodiversity and tourism appeal, remains under close watch as the situation unfolds.
