Fire on Singapore-Flagged Cargo Ship Off Kerala Coast: 18 Rescued, 4 Missing
Mangaluru: A Singapore-flagged container ship caught fire off the Kerala coast, prompting a daring mid-sea rescue operation led by the Indian Navy. Out of the 22 crew members onboard, 18 have been rescued by the naval vessel INS Surat, while four crew members remain unaccounted for, officials confirmed on Monday.
The rescued sailors include five injured, two of whom are in critical condition, and are being brought to New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA), Panambur, where INS Surat is expected to dock around 2200 hrs tonight, according to a police communique.
The fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday aboard the container ship while it was navigating in the Arabian Sea. The cause of the blaze is yet to be determined. The Indian Navy and Coast Guard launched a coordinated response after receiving a distress alert.
Authorities at NMPA, along with medical and port officials, have made emergency arrangements to provide immediate medical attention to the injured upon arrival.
The rescued crew members are of mixed nationalities:
8 from China
4 from Taiwan
4 from Myanmar
2 from Indonesia
The ship's ownership and cargo details are yet to be disclosed. Search and rescue efforts are continuing to trace the four missing crew members. The Coast Guard and Indian Navy are also monitoring for any environmental threats arising from the fire.
Port sources said further investigations will be initiated once the ship is secured and the rescued crew are debriefed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
18 Navy officers complete helicopter pilot training
As many as 18 Indian Navy officers, including one woman, graduated as pilots from the Helicopter Training School at INS Rajali in Arakkonam on Monday. Sub-Lieutenant Siddhi Hemant Dubey became the second woman helicopter pilot of the Indian Navy. According to a press release, the graduating officers were presented the coveted 'Golden Wings', an award that marks them as helicopter pilots. The awards were given by Vice-Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command. They took part in a passing out parade, marking the successful completion of their 22-week intensive flying and ground training at the school in the Indian Naval Air Squadron-561. Vice-Admiral Pendharkar said a naval pilot's skill was tested at sea and in the sky. Handling this required a deep commitment, he added. He told the graduating pilots that they should wear the 'Golden Wings', not as decoration but as a proof of discipline, focus, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. 'The wings represent the Navy's faith in its pilots, and a sign that they are now a part of a rich naval legacy,' Vice-Admiral Pendharkar said.
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
From stormy seas to a hero's welcome: Lt. Cmdr. Dilna returns to Kozhikode
For the eight-long months that Lt. Commander K. Dilna braved the ocean and its many challenges, her mother K.P. Reeja spent sleepless nights in Kozhikode, anxious about her daughter's safety. 'I could heave a sigh of relief only when I heard the news that she had landed safely in Goa,' said Ms. Reeja, her face glowing with pride as their hometown of Kakkodi, a suburban village in Kozhikode, gave Ms. Dilna a warm welcome on Monday (June 9). Dilna, along with Lt. Commander Roopa Alagirisamy, a native of Pondicherry, recently made history by becoming the first Indian women to circumnavigate the globe in a double-handed sailing mode aboard the INSV Tarini. As part of the Indian Navy's Navika Sagar Parikrama, the duo covered 25,400 nautical miles over 239 days. 'They faced severe hardships—cyclones, torrential rains, and rough seas. They could only enjoy a proper meal when they reached shore once a month or so. Otherwise, they survived on canned food. There were even days they went without eating, having grown tired of the limited options,' said Ms. Reeja. Lt. Cmdr. Dilna followed in the footsteps of her late father Devadas, a former Army officer, in choosing a career in the armed forces. Her educational journey began at Veda Vyasa Vidyalayam and continued through Kendriya Vidyalaya, East Hill; Government Vocational Higher Secondary School for Girls, Nadakkavu; and Providence College in Kozhikode. She joined the Indian Navy in 2014. 'Dilna always wanted to join the armed forces. She won several awards in rifle shooting during her time in the National Cadet Corps. Though we were initially hesitant about her going on the circumnavigation mission, her unwavering determination convinced us,' said Ms. Reeja. Meanwhile, the civic reception for Lt. Cmdr. Dilna turned into a moment of celebration for the entire village. Dilna's mother, along with sister Deepthi and officials from the Kakkodi grama panchayat, received her at the Kozhikode Railway Station and hosted a tea party in her honour at the panchayat office. The festivities continued with a grand procession from Parambil Kadavu to her home. The procession featured a traditional Shinkari melam and was joined by local people, including ex-servicemen in uniform.
News18
3 hours ago
- News18
Singapore Thanks India For Rescue Ops After Cargo Ship Fire: 'Grateful To Indian Friends'
Last Updated: The vessel had a multinational crew onboard, including 8 Chinese, 6 Taiwanese, 5 from Myanmar, and 3 Indonesian nationals. Singapore's High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, extended gratitude to India after the successful rescue of 18 crew members from the Singapore-flagged container ship MV Wan Hai 503, which caught fire off the Indian coast on June 9. Taking to X, he wrote, 'Deep gratitude for our Indian friends @IndiaCoastGuard @indiannavy @IN_HQSNC @IN_WNC @SpokespersonMoD. Swift and brave rescue operations for the 🇸🇬-flagged MV Wan Hai 503 which caught fire off #Beypore. HC Wong". Deep gratitude 🙏 for our Indian friends @IndiaCoastGuard @indiannavy @IN_HQSNC @IN_WNC @SpokespersonMoD swift and brave rescue operations for the 🇸🇬-flagged MV Wan Hai 503 which caught fire off #Beypore. HC Wong #IndianNavy #IndianCoastGuard 📷: @DefencePROkochi — Singapore in India (@SGinIndia) June 9, 2025 Meanwhile, the Indian Navy confirmed that 18 out of 22 crew members aboard the Singapore-flagged container ship have been safely evacuated. The incident took place approximately 44 nautical miles off Azhikkal and 130 nautical miles northwest of Kochi, Kerala. According to the Navy, the vessel had a multinational crew onboard, including 8 Chinese, 6 Taiwanese, 5 from Myanmar, and 3 Indonesian nationals. As the fire intensified, all crew members were forced to abandon the ship. Two Indian Coast Guard ships, Sachet and Samudra Prahari, are actively deployed at the scene of the fire to assist in firefighting and rescue operations. '#IndianNavy in a closely coordinated #SearchAndRescue operation with @IndiaCoastGuard, DG Shipping and other stakeholders, has safely rescued 18 out of 22 crew members Singaporean Flagged MV Wan Hai 503. The MV had reported internal container explosion and resultant major fire onboard. The inputs of the incident were received at @IFC_IOR at about 0930 hr on #09Jun 25," said Indian Navy spokesperson in an official statement. '#INSSurat and a Dornier aircraft were immediately deployed by the #IndianNavy to render necessary assistance, and at about 1630 hr, 18 out of 22 crew members were safely rescued by #Surat. First aid has been rendered to the injured crew members and the ship is presently proceeding to New Mangalore for disembarkation and further medical management," it added. #IndianNavy in a closely coordinated #SearchAndRescue operation with @IndiaCoastGuard, DG Shipping and other stakeholders, has safely rescued 18 out of 22 crew members Singaporean Flagged MV Wan Hai 503. The MV had reported internal container explosion and resultant major fire… — SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) June 9, 2025 Notably, the vessel was en route from Colombo, Sri Lanka to Nhava Sheva, Mumbai, with an expected time of arrival (ETA) on 10 June. The fire rapidly engulfed the midsection of the vessel, which is currently adrift.
