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Singapore Thanks India For Rescue Ops After Cargo Ship Fire: 'Grateful To Indian Friends'
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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.
