Indian Navy recovers and safely disposes missile warhead from merchant tanker
New Delhi, June 11
The Indian Navy completed a complex operation involving the recovery and safe disposal of an unexploded missile warhead from the crude oil tanker MT Olympic Life. The Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, which did not have any Indian nationals on board, was on passage from Fujairah, UAE, to Kochi when it reported an explosion in its hull while off the coast of Oman on May 26, according to a release.
The vessel reported the presence of an unexploded ordnance as it continued its transit towards Kochi. On receipt of information through the Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), the Indian Navy initiated a coordinated response. Kochi-based Southern Naval Command deployed a specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team for a detailed assessment. The team confirmed that a projectile had penetrated the vessel's hull, traversed multiple structural compartments and was lodged inside a fuel tank.
In view of the risks associated with the presence of an unexploded missile warhead inside a fuel storage compartment, the EOD team adopted a deliberate and phased approach to ensure the safety of the ship, its crew and surrounding port infrastructure.
After completion of prescribed safety procedures, the EOD team employed advanced diagnostic methods to identify and isolate the detonation mechanism before carrying out the safe extraction of the warhead along with the associated debris, the release noted.
The recovered ordnance has been transported to a secure facility for safe stowage and detailed examination. This carefully conducted, highly risky operation highlights the Indian Navy's proficiency in explosive ordnance disposal, technical expertise and effective inter-agency coordination in addressing complex maritime contingencies. The Indian Navy's prompt response to an emergency at sea, irrespective of the nationality of the crew or the ownership of the vessel, reaffirms its role as a responsible maritime force dedicated to global maritime safety and a trusted and preferred security partner in the region.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I must say, the prompt response by IFC-IOR and the Southern Naval Command is commendable. But why did the vessel continue its journey to Kochi with the ordnance on board? There should be stricter protocols for such emergencies in our waters. Safety first, always.
Amazing work by our Navy! 🇮🇳 To think they safely extracted a live warhead from a fuel tank—that's some next-level precision. Kudos to the EOD team for their courage and expertise. India's maritime security is in safe hands.
As someone in the maritime industry, this is seriously impressive. The Indian Navy's EOD capability is world-class. A dangerous operation executed without incident. This sets a standard for regional security cooperation.
Salute to the Navy team! 🙏 This shows India's commitment to safety in the Indian Ocean Region. But I hope there will be a detailed investigation on how the missile struck the tanker in the first place—security concerns in the region are real.
Great job by the Indian Navy. This kind of professionalism strengthens trust among all nations operating in the Indian Ocean. A risky job done with precision and caution.
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