Kannur: A Singapore-flagged container ship, MV Wan Hai 503, caught fire following multiple explosions off the Kerala coast on Monday, triggering an emergency response by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.
According to a statement by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), several explosions and fires were reported on board the vessel. Of the 22 crew members, 18 jumped into the sea and are currently safe in lifeboats. The ship has not sunk but remains adrift, and about 20 containers have reportedly fallen into the sea, the KSDMA added.
The fire broke out when the vessel was sailing roughly 78 nautical miles west of Beypore and 40 nautical miles off Ezhimala in Kerala’s Kannur district. The ship, which left Colombo, Sri Lanka, on June 7, was on its way to Mumbai and was scheduled to arrive there on Tuesday.
The Defence PRO Kochi confirmed the incident and said Indian Navy and Coast Guard units were immediately deployed for the rescue. A coordinated operation involving ships like ICGS Sachet, Arnvesh, Samudra Prahri, Abhinav, Rajdoot, and the C-144 aircraft is underway to rescue the crew and secure the vessel.
As of now, the MV Wan Hai 503 remains on fire and is drifting in the sea. Authorities are keeping a close watch on the situation. An investigation into the cause of the explosions and fire will follow once the emergency is under control.
