NEW DELHI: A massive fire aboard a Singapore-registered container ship, MV Wan Hai 503, has left four crew members missing and several injured, in an incident that continues to unfold off the southwestern coast of India.
The fire broke out on June 9 at around 12.30 p.m., when the vessel was approximately 80 kilometres (78 nautical miles) southwest of Azhikkal, Kerala, near India’s Beypore Port. The ship, which measures 268 metres in length, was carrying 22 crew members at the time of the incident.
Eighteen crew members have been rescued, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Indian authorities, while search and rescue operations remain ongoing for the four missing personnel, identified as two Taiwanese nationals, one Myanmar national, and one Indonesian.
Fire and explosions persist
The Indian Coast Guard reported on Tuesday that the vessel continues to burn, with repeated explosions erupting from the cargo stacks. The ship is now tilting at a dangerous angle of 10 to 15 degrees, raising concerns about its structural stability.
Photographs released by the Indian Coast Guard show towering flames and billowing black smoke, with burning containers stacked atop one another, some appearing to have been thrown by an internal blast. Several containers have also fallen into the sea.
Video footage from the scene shows coastguard ships surrounding the blackened vessel, directing high-powered water jets at the flames in an effort to contain the blaze.
Coordinated rescue and medical response
The 18 rescued crew members were brought safely to New Mangalore Port, where six injured were sent to shore-based medical facilities. Three of the injured have since been discharged, MPA confirmed.
Indian authorities have deployed additional firefighting vessels, with two more expected to arrive on-site by Tuesday evening to bolster containment efforts.
Aerial surveillance is also being conducted to aid in the search-and-rescue operations for the missing crew members.
Coordinating technical and environmental assessment
The ship is operated by Wan Hai Lines (Singapore). Singapore’s MPA said it is working closely with the vessel owner, its classification society, and Indian authorities to provide technical support to stabilise the ship and manage the fire.
MPA added that it is also monitoring the potential environmental impact of the incident, given the vessel’s heavy cargo and proximity to sensitive maritime zones.
“MPA is monitoring the situation in close coordination with the Indian authorities, including supporting the assessment of the vessel’s structural integrity and the potential for environmental impact,” the agency said in a statement.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, and an investigation is underway.
A race against time
As the fire spreads throughout the ship, the fate of the four missing crew remains uncertain. Efforts from both Indian and Singaporean authorities are intensifying to bring the situation under control. For now, the focus remains on suppressing the fire, stabilising the vessel, and locating the missing individuals.
This incident adds to a growing number of maritime emergencies in the region, underscoring the risks faced by seafarers and the crucial role of coordinated international response mechanisms in managing such high-stakes disasters.