Firefighting efforts intensify aboard Singapore vessel after explosion off Kerala coast
Off the coast of Kerala, emergency teams are fighting a fierce blaze aboard the Singapore-flagged vessel MV Wan Hai 503. The ship caught fire after a powerful explosion on June 9. Indian authorities are working around the clock to contain the flames and prevent further disaster.
The fire broke out about 40 to 88 nautical miles off the Kerala coast. A container carrying hazardous materials likely caused the explosion. The Indian Coast Guard and Navy responded immediately, launching a large-scale firefighting and rescue mission.
Coast Guard Leads Intense Firefighting Effort
The Indian Coast Guard deployed several ships to tackle the fire. ICGS Samudra Prahari and ICGS Samarth are leading the operation. Firefighting teams have managed to control 40% of the fire, mostly in the ship’s forward cargo section. Crews are using foam and water cooling methods to suppress the flames and stop them from reaching the fuel tanks.
Hydrocarbon vapors near the fuel area raised serious concerns. To reduce risk, experts are closely monitoring the situation. Three salvage professionals and two divers boarded the vessel. They are checking gas levels and managing firefighting from inside.
Crew Evacuation and Missing Seafarers
The explosion forced the immediate evacuation of the ship’s 18-member crew. Fourteen people were rescued. However, four crew members remain missing. They include two Taiwanese nationals, one from Myanmar, and another from Indonesia. Search teams are scanning the surrounding waters using Coast Guard aircraft and ships.
Authorities informed the families of the missing crew. India has also contacted the relevant embassies to support the ongoing efforts.
Drifting Vessel Poses Marine Risk
The ship is carrying more than 122,000 metric tonnes of fuel and various cargo, including hazardous materials. With the vessel adrift and slightly tilted, it poses a serious environmental threat. A fuel leak could harm marine life and damage nearby ecosystems.
To prevent that outcome, towing efforts are underway. The Emergency Towing Vessel Water Lily connected to the cargo ship to drag it farther into deep sea. This move reduces the risk of coastal pollution and provides space for safer firefighting.
Salvage Experts Join Coordinated Response
Indian authorities have brought in top maritime experts. A Salvage Master now oversees operations directly from the ship. The Indian Navy and the Directorate General of Shipping are working with international salvage firms to control the crisis. Daily briefings help officials monitor progress and adjust strategies.
Extra firefighting supplies are on the way. Foam and dry chemical powder are being transported from Mumbai and Kochi. Surveillance aircraft from the Navy are also helping track the vessel’s temperature and structure.
To ensure safety, officials have set up a no-fly zone and restricted marine traffic around the burning ship.
A Wake-Up Call for Cargo Safety
The explosion highlights the risks of transporting dangerous goods at sea. Marine safety experts say stricter rules and better monitoring systems are urgently needed. They are calling for tougher enforcement of cargo safety protocols and early detection technologies aboard all large vessels.
Shipping authorities must also train crews in emergency response techniques. This incident shows how unpreparedness can put lives, property, and the environment at risk.
Next Steps
Firefighting will continue until the flames are fully out. Authorities are determined to find the missing crew members and tow the ship to safety. While the fire has not spread to the fuel tanks, the danger remains real. Hydrocarbon vapors and unstable cargo continue to pose threats.
The Indian Coast Guard and Navy have earned praise for their swift and skilled response. Their efforts have already prevented a larger disaster. However, the coming days are critical. Any misstep could reverse the progress made so far.
India’s maritime agencies are on high alert. The government is watching closely and providing full support to the operation. Public attention has turned to the fate of the missing crew and the safety of India’s western coastline.
