New Delhi [India], June 9 (ANI): In a high-stakes rescue operation, the Indian Navy, in close coordination with the Coast Guard, Directorate General of Shipping, and other stakeholders, successfully rescued 18 out of 22 crew members from the Singapore-flagged container ship MV Wan Hai 503 after a fire erupted onboard.
“The incident was first reported to the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) at around 0930 hours on June 9. In response, INS Surat and a Dornier aircraft were promptly deployed by the Navy. By approximately 1630 hours, 18 crew members had been rescued by Surat. First aid has been administered to the injured, and the ship is now proceeding to New Mangalore for further medical care and disembarkation,” the Indian Navy said in an official statement.
The vessel had a crew of 22 onboard, including eight Chinese, six Taiwanese, five Myanmarese, and three Indonesian nationals. Following a reported internal container explosion that led to a major fire, the crew was forced to abandon ship. While 18 crew members have been safely rescued, four remain missing. A search and rescue operation is ongoing.
The incident occurred roughly 44 nautical miles off Azhikkal, Kerala, and 130 nautical miles northwest of Kochi. The fire severely damaged the ship’s midsection, and the vessel is currently adrift. Preliminary reports indicate that 10–15 containers have fallen overboard.
The MV Wan Hai 503 was en route from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to Nhava Sheva, Mumbai, with an expected arrival date of June 10.
The Indian Coast Guard responded swiftly, deploying two Dornier aircraft equipped with life rafts for aerial surveillance and damage assessment. Additionally, five Coast Guard vessels—including those equipped for firefighting and pollution response—have been dispatched to the site.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Mumbai activated the International Safety Net (ISN), prompting merchant vessels MV AMBRA and MV ONE MARVEL to divert and assist. The initial distress alert was relayed by MV Cape Valencia.
Thick smoke continues to billow from the vessel, with the fire posing a serious risk of additional explosions and potential structural collapse. Maritime traffic in the vicinity has been warned to maintain a safe distance.
The Flag Administration of Singapore has been officially notified. The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), India, has directed the vessel’s owners to immediately engage qualified salvors and firefighting specialists.
(ANI)
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