Explosion on Singapore-flagged vessel near Kochi; 4 crew missing, 5 injured
Kochi (Kerala) [India], June 10 (ANI): Four crew members were reported missing and five injured after an explosion under deck was reported onboard MV WAN HAI 503 while it was on passage from Colombo to Nhava Sheva. Indian Coast Guard ships have been deployed for firefighting and rescue operations.
According to the Indian Coast Guard, following the explosion on Monday, four crew members were reported missing, and five others sustained injuries. The vessel was carrying containerised cargo and had a total crew 22 onboard. CGDO on task diverted for assessment
Indian Coast Guard units were immediately diverted for assessment and assistance. ICGS Rajdoot off New Mangalore, ICGS Arnvesh off Kochi, and ICGS Sachet off Agatti have been diverted for assistance.
In a post on X, the Indian Coast Guard said an ICG aircraft assessed the scene and dropped an air-droppable.
'Quick response by India Coast Guard after explosion on Singapore-flagged MV WAN HAI 503, 130 NM NW of Kerala coast. ICG aircraft assessed the scene & dropped air-droppable. 04 ICG ships diverted for rescue.'
Fires and explosions have been reported from mid-ships to the container bay ahead of the accommodation block. The forward-bay fire is under control, but thick smoke continues to be observed. The vessel is listing approximately 10-15 degrees to port, and additional containers have been reported overboard.
Indian Coast Guard ships Samudra Prahari and Sachet are conducting fire-fighting operations and boundary cooling, while ICG ship Samarth, along with salvors, is being deployed from Kochi.
Further updates will follow, the Coast Guard PRO added. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
28 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Singapore-flagged cargo ship fire: 40% of blaze in forward bay contained but vessel continues to emit heavy smoke
Hardly two days after the Singapore-flagged container ship MV Wan Hai 503 caught fire off the coast of Kerala between Beypore and Azhikkal ports, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Indian Navy, Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), and ship salvage partners, who had been undertaking the firefighting operations, could contain the fire onboard partially on Wednesday (June 11, 2025), with approximately 40% of the blaze suppressed. According to a situation report released by the government agencies, although the fire was contained partially, the vessel remains afloat and continues to emit heavy smoke. Fire is contained primarily in the forward bays, with firefighting efforts still progressing. No structural compromise of the ship has been reported. However, there exist thermal and gas risks near the affected compartments. The stern of the ship remains clear, providing a potential window for forward or aft towing if safe to do so. Towline connection, however, could be attempted only after full fire suppression. Fuel oil, diesel The drifting vessel in the south-southeasterly direction at about 1 knot per hour has approximately 2,000 tonnes of fuel oil and 240 tonnes of diesel oil in tanks located adjacent to the fire zone, increasing the risk of fire escalation. Further, the drifting containers also remain a concern for the authorities as the vessel drifts away from the Indian coast. ICG and INHO (Indian Naval Hydrographic Office) have been requested to issue warnings to the passing vessels. Meanwhile, international firefighting specialists from Spain, the UK, and the Netherlands identified by the salvors will be deployed for the firefighting operation subject to visa clearance within the next 72 hours, according to the report. Firefighting and boundary cooling operations are going on in the forward bays where the fire originated, while preparations are being made to shift focus to the aft section if required. As of the last update, the vessel is located about 65 nautical miles off the Indian coastline, beyond the 1000-metre depth contour. The ICG is coordinating with the salvors to establish the most effective point to connect a towline, likely at the stern or bow, depending on evolving conditions. As per the owners, the ship was carrying a total of 1,754 containers onboard, with 1,083 containers under deck and 671 containers on deck, out of which 143 containers were carrying highly dangerous cargo.
Hans India
38 minutes ago
- Hans India
18 rescued from blaze-hit ship brought to Mangaluru: two criticial
Mangaluru: Eighteen crew members rescued from the blaze-hit Singapore-flagged container ship were safely brought to the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) Coast Guard berth at Panambur by Indian Naval Ship INS Surat. Among the rescued, two are said to be in critical condition, while four sustained minor injuries and 12 others suffered varying levels of trauma. The injured were evacuated and transported to AJ Hospital in Kuntikana here late on Monday night. 'The critically injured were stabilised onboard INS Surat and shifted on arrival under close medical supervision. Immediate evacuation was our priority,' a Coast Guard official told reporters. He added that immigration, port, and police authorities worked in unison to ensure a seamless handover and medical transfer. Speaking to media here, Dinesh Kadam, Plastic Surgeon at AJ Hospital said, 'Around 11.30 pm, six of them were bought by the coast guard. They were all on the ship on the vessel. They had not jumped into water as it was reported. They were all in the vessel and were rescued from lifeboat by the coastguard.' 'Out of six, two are critically injured. One has 40 per cent burns and another 30 per cent. The one who sustained 40 per cent burns is a 47-year-old male, a Chinese national. He is an engineer. He sustained burns on the face, upper and lower limbs. They both have airway burns that is much more serious. Airway burns is one thing which is likely to worsen in next few hours or few days,' he said. According to the doctor, both also have deep burns so they may probably require some surgical procedures later. 'Right now, they are stable. They are conscious, they can speak and take some liquids also. Their vitals are okay, but they are being intensely monitored in the ICU.' Giving details of the condition of four others, he said one of them is in the observation room. He has deep facial burns but is conscious oriented and taking food orally. 'Other three are ok. They are quite cheerful. They don't have much burn injuries, but they have impacts also. Some have cut injuries, tooth loss.... There is a leak of chemical substance also because one of them (patient) said that he touched some liquid which was flowing out and sustained burns. But those are minor burns,' he added. The ship MV Wan Hai 503, which caught fire on Sunday in the Arabian Sea off Kerala coast, had 22 crew members on board. While 18 have now been rescued, four remain unaccounted for. Search and rescue operations are ongoing. Port workers described emotional scenes as the injured disembarked — some helped by fellow crewmates, others in stretchers, whispering prayers of gratitude or anxiously inquiring about their missing colleagues.
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
"Preparations underway for Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra," says Gujarat Minister Sanghavi
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], June 11 (ANI): Gujarat Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Wednesday assured that all arrangements are being made to ensure the smooth and secure conduct of the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad, scheduled for June 27. The Gujarat Minister emphasised that the rath yatra holds a very important place and is a 'centre of devotion' for the people of the state. Speaking to ANI, Harsh Sanghavi said, 'The Jagannath Rath Yatra is a huge centre of devotion for the people of Gujarat. Lakhs of people join the yatra. Today, the Jal yatra will be carried out on the bank of the Sabarmati as part of the rituals that are performed ahead of Rath Yatra.' 'Preparations are being made for the Yatra that commences on June 27... It is the biggest Yatra - from both the perspectives - administration and devotion- 'Aastha and vyavastha,' he added. Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also participated in the Pahandi rituals and Snana Utsav of Lord Jagannath in Puri, marking his presence at key religious ceremonies ahead of the annual Rath Yatra festival. The Pahandi rituals, considered a vital component of the Rath Yatra, involve the ceremonial procession of the deities--Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra--from the sanctum sanctorum of the Jagannath Temple to their respective chariots. The elaborate ritual accompanies traditional chants, gongs, and conches as the deities are brought out grandly and reverentially. The construction of Lord Jagannath's chariot for the annual Rath Yatra festival commenced in Puri, Odisha. The work began on the auspicious day of Akshay Tritiya, April 30, marking the start of the preparations for the revered festival. The Rath Yatra, also known as the 'Festival of Chariots,' is a significant event in the Hindu calendar, where Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, is taken out in a grand procession on chariots through the streets of Puri. This year, the Jagannath Rath Yatra will commence on June 27. According to the Hindu calendar, the festival is celebrated on the Dwitiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha (waxing moon fortnight) in Ashadh. Devotees eagerly await the Rath Yatra, celebrating Lord Jagannath and his siblings' divine journey. The festival is a testament to Odisha's rich cultural heritage and traditions and is expected to draw large crowds to Puri. (ANI)
