Singapore-flagged cargo ship fire: Police file case against owner, captain and crew of MV Wan Hai 503

The Singapore-flagged merchant vessel MV Wan Hai 503 caught fire off the Beypore coast in Kerala on June 9. | Photo Credit: Indian Navy via PTI

The Fort Kochi coastal police in Kerala have registered a case against the owner, captain and crew of the Singapore-flagged merchant vessel MV Wan Hai 503 which caught fire off the Beypore coast in Kerala on June 9.

This was the second such case in succession to be registered by the Coastal police, which had registered in connection with the sinking of another merchant vessel MSC Elsa 3 off the Kochi coast.

The FIR, which was registered on Tuesday (June 17, 2025), stated that the ship was navigated rashly in a way that could be dangerous to human life, despite the presence of flammable materials, chemicals, and explosives on the vessel.

It refers to the fuel and other oils leaked into the sea from the vessel and the fall of containers overboard. Dangerous fumes were also released following the fire outbreak, the FIR said.

The incident affected fishermen, biodiversity and the environment in the region, besides hindering the free movement of vessels. The case was registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 282 (rash navigation of vessel), 285 (danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation), 286 (negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substance), 287 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter), 288 (negligent conduct concerning explosive substance), and 3 (5) (common intention) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Published - June 18, 2025 09:51 am IST