Kochi (Kerala) [India], June 11 (ANI): The Indian Coast Guard continues its intensive firefighting and rescue operations after a major fire broke out aboard the Singapore-flagged container vessel MV WAN HAI 503 off the coast of Kerala. Despite visible flames being reduced, thick plumes of smoke are still billowing from the ship, complicating firefighting efforts and endangering crew members.
According to the Indian Coast Guard, as of 5:00 PM on Tuesday, efforts to bring the fire under control had made some progress. However, dense smoke persisted as operations were ongoing.
“Indian Coast Guard ships continue to fight the fire and attempt to bring the inferno on the container ship MV WAN HAI 503 under control off Kerala coast. Visible flames have reduced, and thick smoke continues to emanate as of 1700 hours today,” an official statement noted.
The fire, which reportedly resulted from an onboard explosion, has led to significant casualties. Out of the 22 crew members, 18 have been rescued by Indian Navy and Coast Guard teams, while four remain missing. At least five crew members sustained injuries, some of them serious.
International Cooperation and Rescue Efforts
The Chinese Embassy in India expressed its gratitude toward Indian authorities for their swift and professional response. According to Chinese Embassy spokesperson Yu Jing, among the crew were 14 Chinese nationals, including six from Taiwan.
“On June 9, MV Wan Hai 503 encountered an onboard explosion and fire 44 nautical miles off Azhikkal, Kerala. Of the total 22 crew members on board, 14 are Chinese, including 6 from Taiwan. Our gratitude goes to the Indian Navy @indiannavy and the Mumbai Coast Guard for their prompt and professional rescue. We wish further search operations successful and the injured crew members a speedy recovery,” Yu Jing posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Medical Treatment for the Injured
Of the 18 rescued, six injured crew members were taken to AJ Hospital in Mangaluru shortly after midnight on Tuesday.
Dr. Dinesh Kadam, a plastic surgeon at the hospital, reported that two of the patients were in critical condition, having suffered 35% to 40% burn injuries.
Vessel Details and Ongoing Investigation
The MV WAN HAI 503 was reportedly carrying containerized cargo when the fire erupted approximately 44 nautical miles off Azhikkal, Kerala. The Indian Coast Guard diverted its Dornier aircraft for aerial assessment, and multiple ships remain deployed to fight the blaze and locate the missing crew.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, and authorities are monitoring the environmental impact of the incident as the ship continues to smolder offshore.
Search and rescue operations remain active, with the Indian Coast Guard and Navy jointly coordinating efforts to ensure the safety of all crew members and mitigate any further damage. (ANI)
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