The burning ship: Singapore-flagged vessel ablaze after container blast off Kerala coast; 4 crew missing, 18 rescued - How crisis unfolded

KOCHI: A swift and coordinated rescue effort led by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard saved 18 crew members from a blazing Singapore-flagged cargo vessel, MV Wan Hai 503, after a container explosion triggered a major fire 44 nautical miles off Azhikkal coast in Kerala’s Kannur on Monday morning.The fire broke out around 9.20 am, when an explosion occurred in one of the containers aboard the vessel, which was en route from Colombo, Sri Lanka to Nhava Sheva Port, Mumbai with 22 crew members on board. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) received a distress signal shortly after the explosion and mobilised immediate rescue and firefighting assets.As flames spread rapidly and smoke engulfed the deck, the crew abandoned the burning ship using life rafts, floating adrift in the Arabian Sea.

The Indian Navy’s INS Surat, which was diverted from duty, managed to rescue all 18 survivors from these rafts and transported them safely to Mangalore Port by Monday evening.One of the rescued sailors reportedly sustained serious injuries and was given urgent medical attention. However, four crew members — two Taiwanese, one Indonesian, and one Myanmarese — remain missing since the explosion.Rescue operations involved two Dornier surveillance aircraft and five Coast Guard vessels, including those with specialised firefighting and pollution control capabilities.

Nearby merchant ships, MV Ambra and MV One Marvel, also responded to the emergency under the International Safety Net (ISN) activated by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Mumbai.Preliminary reports suggest that several containers may have fallen overboard, and the fire—fuelled by dangerous cargo including flammable and toxic substances classified by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)—continues to burn.

The vessel was adrift as of Monday evening, with firefighting efforts underway to prevent further explosions or an environmental disaster.Authorities have advised ships in the area to maintain a safe distance. The Flag Administration of Singapore has been notified, and India’s Directorate General of Shipping has directed the ship’s owners to deploy expert salvors and provide regular updates until the fire is contained.