AMN
Indian Navy, in a closely coordinated Search And Rescue operation with the Coast Guard, has safely rescued 18 out of 22 crew members of the Singaporean-flagged MV Wan Hai 503. The MV had reported an internal container explosion and a resultant major fire onboard. The Indian Navy said that the incident inputs were received at about 9:30 AM yesterday. INS Surat and a Dornier aircraft were immediately deployed by the Indian Navy to render necessary assistance.
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.
A Singapore cargo ship en route from Colombo to Mumbai caught fire near the coast of Kozhikode. Of the 22 crew members on board the vessel, named Wan Hai 503, four are missing. Eighteen crew members who jumped into the sea have been rescued. Among the five injured, two have suffered serious burns. The Coast Guard and Navy have launched rescue operations, and efforts to extinguish the fire are ongoing. Reports indicate that some of the containers that fell off the ship contain hazardous materials with a risk of catching fire. State Minister V.N. Vasavan stated that instructions have been issued to remain vigilant in light of the aftermath of the ship accident.