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Fire engulfs Singapore-flagged cargo ship off India's coast, four crew missing
Efforts are underway by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard to extinguish a massive fire aboard the Singapore-flagged cargo ship MV Wan Hai 503, which erupted on Monday in the Arabian Sea off Kerala's coast. The vessel was en route from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to Mumbai, India, when an explosion in one of its containers triggered the blaze.
Rescue operations and missing crew
Eighteen of the 22 crew members have been rescued, while four remain missing. Among the missing are two Taiwanese nationals, one from Myanmar, and one from Indonesia. The rescued crew, who abandoned the vessel during the fire, were brought ashore, with some receiving medical treatment. Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority has dispatched a team to assist in the ongoing search and rescue mission.
Environmental concerns and potential risks
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued an alert for Kerala's coastline, warning of potential oil spills and drifting debris from the ship. The vessel was carrying 100 tonnes of bunker oil, and 50 containers have reportedly fallen into the sea, posing an environmental threat. These containers are expected to drift ashore within days, raising concerns about damage to Kerala’s rich marine biodiversity and its vital fishing industry.
Repeated incidents spark safety fears
This marks the second maritime incident in the region within three weeks. Last month, a Liberian-flagged ship carrying hazardous cargo sank near Kerala's coast, prompting a fishing ban within a 20-nautical-mile radius and compensation for affected communities. Such events highlight growing fears over the safety of shipping operations in the Arabian Sea and their impact on local ecosystems.
Kerala’s vulnerable coastline
Kerala’s coastline, renowned for its biodiversity and tourism appeal, faces increasing threats from maritime accidents. State authorities are closely monitoring the situation, with ports minister VN Vasavan emphasizing efforts to mitigate environmental damage caused by the fire and drifting containers.
Ongoing firefighting efforts
Footage from Tuesday showed thick smoke rising from MV Wan Hai 503 as firefighting teams continued their battle against the flames. The Indian Coast Guard reported ongoing explosions onboard, complicating containment efforts. Authorities remain on high alert, prioritizing the rescue of the missing crew and minimizing environmental fallout.