Watch: Massive Fire Breaks Out On Cargo Ship Off Kerala Coast, 4 Crew Missing

A Singapore-flagged container ship, MV Wan Hai 503, caught fire early morning on June 9, 2025, about 78 nautical miles off the Beypore coast in Kerala.

The vessel, which was on its way to Navi Mumbai from Colombo, was carrying over 650 containers and had 22 crew members onboard at the time of the incident.

Officials confirmed that 18 of the 22 crew members abandoned the vessel using life rafts and boats. Among the crew, five sustained injuries, including two with serious burns. Four crew members are currently missing. Most of the crew are said to be of Taiwanese nationality.

The fire, which broke out underdeck, led to multiple explosions on board, according to disaster management sources. As the fire intensified, around 50 containers fell into the Arabian Sea, raising concerns over navigational safety and potential pollution risks.

The Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy launched a joint rescue mission shortly after receiving a distress signal around 10:30 a.m. on Monday. The Navy diverted its warship INS Surat and planned an aerial sortie from INS Garuda.

The Coast Guard deployed a Dornier aircraft for assessment, while CG ships Sachet, Arnvesh, Samudra Prahari, Abhinav, and Rajdoot, along with a C144 aircraft, were mobilised for rescue and response.

The vessel remained on fire and adrift in the sea at 2 p.m. The situation was described as critical, with the fire continuing to emit thick smoke. Samudra Prahari, a specialised pollution control vessel, was among the first responders, indicating precautionary steps in case of an oil spill or chemical discharge.

Two merchant ships in the vicinity, MV ONE MARVEL and MV AMBRA, were directed to assist in picking up the crew. Defence officials reported that MV ONE MARVEL would rescue the sailors adrift in lifeboats.

According to Shekhar Kuriakose, Member Secretary of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, district collectors in Kozhikode and Ernakulam have been instructed to ensure medical arrangements are in place for the injured crew once they are brought ashore. Emergency support units in Kannur, Kozhikode, and Kochi have also been activated for treatment and logistics.

Quick response by @IndiaCoastGuard after explosion on #Singapore flagged MV #WANHAI503, 130 NM NW of #Kerala coast.
#ICG aircraft assessed the scene & dropped air-droppable
04 #ICG ships diverted for rescue.#MaritimeSafety #ICG #SearchAndRescue pic.twitter.com/xVPEShbU8h

— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) June 9, 2025

Emergency alerts were issued to fishing boats along the Malabar coast to avoid the affected area. Coastal police officials stated that although they had not yet received any direct updates on rescue progress, alerts had been issued to all relevant security agencies regarding the containers lost at sea.

The ship, built 20 years ago, is 268.8 metres long and 32.3 metres wide. It was sailing at a speed of 14 knots and was scheduled to reach Nhava Sheva port in Mumbai on June 10 to transfer its containers to a mother ship.

The Directorate of Shipping has contacted the vessel’s owners, Wan Hai Lines, urging them to appoint professional salvors and firefighting experts immediately. Preliminary discussions have been held with SMIT Salvage, a firm known for maritime emergency services.

Authorities have asked the ship’s owners to share details about the nature of cargo in the affected container holds. As of now, it is unclear if any hazardous materials were involved in the fire or explosions. The Flag Administration of Singapore has also been officially informed about the incident.

A spokesperson from the defence department said the fire continues to pose risks of further explosions. Coast Guard ships are expected to reach the location by 4 p.m., and the diverted naval warship is likely to arrive around 5 p.m. All nearby vessels have been advised to maintain a safe distance and reduce speed in the area.

Authorities remain on high alert as efforts continue to rescue the missing crew and control the fire on board MV Wan Hai 503.

References: The Hindu, Indian Express

Source: Maritime Shipping News