A cargo ship carrying containers caught fire while sailing to Mumbai, prompting the crew to evacuate off the southern Indian coast. The situation became critical as the crew faced danger from the flames, leading some to jump into the sea. A search operation is currently underway for the missing crew members.
The Singapore-flagged container vessel Wan Hai 503 was about 144 kilometers (90 miles) off the coast of Kerala when the incident occurred. The Indian Coast Guard responded swiftly, deploying four vessels to assist in the rescue efforts for the crew aboard the burning ship.
The explosion that ignited the fire happened on Monday morning, but the root cause remains under investigation. Dramatic footage from a Coast Guard aircraft displayed thick black smoke engulfing the container ship. As the fire spread across multiple containers, the crew was compelled to abandon ship, taking to life rafts for safety.
According to the state’s disaster management authority, 22 crew members were aboard the vessel at the time. Of this number, 18 have been rescued and are safe in nearby vessels, though one sailor is reported to have sustained serious injuries. Unfortunately, four crew members are still missing—comprising a Taiwanese national, two Indonesians, and one from Myanmar—and search efforts continue to locate them.
This incident underscores the dangers associated with maritime operations, but the swift action of the Coast Guard and the surrounding community reflects a commitment to saving lives, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the perilous situation.