NewKerala.com

Key Points

A Singapore-flagged cargo vessel, WAN HAI 503, caught fire dramatically in the Arabian Sea off Kerala's coast. The Indian Navy and Coast Guard swiftly responded, rescuing 18 crew members who jumped overboard. The ship was carrying potentially dangerous cargo, raising environmental and safety concerns. Hospitals in Kochi and Kozhikode remain on high alert as the rescue operation continues, with four crew members from the Fire and Safety Department still unaccounted for.

Key Points: Singapore Cargo Ship WAN HAI 503 Ablaze Off Kerala Coast

  • Singapore cargo ship WAN HAI 503 catches fire in Arabian Sea
  • Indian Navy and Coast Guard rescue 18 crew members
  • Hospitals in Kochi and Kozhikode on high alert
  • Ship en route from Colombo to Mumbai
2 min read

Singapore cargo ship catches fire off Kerala, Kochi and Kozhikode hospitals on alert

Dramatic sea rescue as Singapore vessel catches fire 70 nautical miles from Kerala, 18 crew saved with 4 still missing

"Some containers are carrying dangerous cargo, including inflammable and toxic substances - Capt K. Arun Kumar, Port Officer"

Kozhikode, June 9

The Indian Navy and the Coast Guard on Monday rescued 18 crew members of the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel, WAN HAI 503, which caught fire about 70 nautical miles off the Kerala coast, officials said.

While 18 crew members have been rescued after they jumped into the sea, the whereabouts of four other crew members attached to the ship's Fire and Safety Department are being ascertained.

The latest visuals show a fire raging on the upper deck of the ship.

The fire accident was reported on the ship, deep in the Arabian Sea, off the Beypore–Azhikal coastline of Kerala.

With the alert coming from the Indian Coast Guard, the hospitals at Kozhikode and Kochi have been asked to be on high alert in case the crew of the ship requires medical attention.

The 270-metre-long vessel, with a draught of 12.5 metres, had departed Colombo on June 7 and was en route to Mumbai.

Meanwhile, Dornier aircraft and vessels of the Coast Guard and Navy from Kochi and Mangaluru have reached the ship, while some others are expected to arrive at the site shortly.

Capt K. Arun Kumar, the Port officer at Beypore, said some of the containers are carrying dangerous cargo, which includes inflammable liquids and solids and also toxic substances.

The crew who have been saved are likely to be brought to Beypore.

The crew does not have any Indians, as per officials.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya M.
Kudos to our Navy and Coast Guard for the swift action! 🇮🇳 Hope the missing crew members are found safe soon. The dangerous cargo situation is worrying though - hope there's no environmental impact on Kerala's beautiful coastline.
R
Rahul K.
Why are our hospitals being put on alert for foreign crew when we have so many healthcare challenges for our own citizens? The response is impressive but priorities should be clear.
S
Sanjay P.
The dangerous cargo part is concerning. We need strict monitoring of ships passing through our waters carrying hazardous materials. Remember the Beirut explosion? Safety protocols must be followed strictly.
A
Ananya T.
Our maritime forces make us proud once again! 🙌 But the article doesn't mention if any Indian fishermen or coastal communities are at risk from this incident. Hope the authorities are monitoring that aspect too.
V
Vikram S.
Good coordination between Kochi and Mangaluru units. Shows how prepared our forces are for emergencies. Hope the toxic substances don't leak - our marine ecosystem is already under enough stress.
M
Meera R.
The ship was coming from Colombo to Mumbai... makes me wonder about the cargo routes in our waters. We should have more control and information about what's being transported so close to our coast.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50