Explosion Hits Singapore-Flagged Ship Off Kerala Coast, Indian Navy Springs Into Action

Last Updated:June 09, 2025, 14:35 IST

The Indian Navy has launched a rescue operation.

The Indian Navy has launched a rescue operation. (Image: X/@DefencePROkochi)

Four crew members went missing and five others sustained injuries after a Singapore-flagged container ship caught fire following an explosion off Kerala coast on Monday. The underdeck fire incident on the ship named ‘MV Wan Hai 503’ was reported at around 10.30am by Maritime Operations Centre (MOC) in Mumbai to its counterpart in Kochi.

According to sources, the fire was reported near Beypore in Kerala’s Kozhikode district after explosion caused 20 containers to fall into the sea.

The cargo ship was carrying 22 crew members when the mishap happened. Of the total crew on board the ship, 18 jumped into the sea. So far 18 people have been rescued while a search is underway to track the missing ones. It is learnt that all the missing crew members were foreign nationals.

Indian Navy, Coast Guards Roped In For Assistance

The Indian Navy along with Indian Coast Guard has sprung into action to assist in the search and rescue operation.

The Indian Navy has diverted INS Surat and planned DO sortie from INS Garuda. While the India Coast Guard has deployed multiple assets including CG Dornier for rescue and assessment.

According to primary information provided by the Coast Guard, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has directed the State Disaster Management Authority to instruct the Ernakulam and Kozhikode District Collectors to make necessary preparations to provide medical treatment to the workers on the ship if they are brought to the Kerala coast.

MV WAN HAI 503 was on its way to Nhava Sheva port in Maharashtra from Colombo in Sri Lanka.

More details are awaited.

Manisha Roy

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18...Read More

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18...

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Location :

Kozhikode, India, India

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News india Explosion Hits Singapore-Flagged Ship Off Kerala Coast, Indian Navy Springs Into Action