Kochi (Kerala) [India], June 11 (HBTV): The Indian Coast Guard is actively engaged in firefighting efforts aboard the Singapore-flagged container ship MV Wan Hai 503, which caught fire following an explosion under deck. Several crew members were injured in the incident, and four remain missing.

Of the 22 crew members onboard, 18 were rescued by the Indian Navy, while efforts continue to locate the remaining four. According to the Indian Coast Guard, as of 5:00 PM on Tuesday, the intensity of the flames had reduced, although thick smoke was still emanating from the vessel.

‘Indian Coast Guard ships continue to fight the fire and attempt to bring the inferno on the container ship MV Wan Hai 503 under control off the Kerala coast. Visible flames have reduced, and thick smoke continues to emanate as of 1700 hours today,’ the Coast Guard said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy in India expressed gratitude to the Indian Navy and the Mumbai Coast Guard for their prompt and professional rescue operation. The spokesperson, Yu Jing, confirmed that the crew included Chinese and Taiwanese nationals.

‘On June 9, MV Wan Hai 503 encountered onboard explosion and fire 44 nautical miles off Azhikkal, Kerala. Of the total 22 crew members on board, 14 are Chinese, including 6 from Taiwan. Our gratitude goes to the Indian Navy and the Mumbai Coast Guard for their prompt and professional rescue. We wish further search operations successful and the injured crew members speedy recovery,’ Yu Jing posted on X.

The explosion occurred while the vessel was en route from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to Nhava Sheva, Mumbai. The vessel was carrying containerised cargo.

Four crew members remain unaccounted for, and five others were injured in the blast. The Coast Guard diverted its Dornier aircraft for assessment and deployed ships for firefighting and rescue operations.

Of the 18 rescued, six were brought to AJ Hospital in Mangaluru post-midnight on Tuesday. Dr Dinesh Kadam, a plastic surgeon at AJ Hospital, said two of the crew members are critically injured, having suffered burns over 35 to 40 per cent of their bodies.

‘We have received six patients. All of them have burns. Three are Chinese nationals, two are from Burma (Myanmar), and one is from Indonesia. Two are critically injured with 35–40 per cent burns. Mainly, they have airway burns, that is, respiratory burns, which are much more severe. They have breathing problems. We have to monitor closely over a few days and see how they do. Right now, we're giving all the attention and critical care,’ Dr Kadam told reporters.

The Indian Naval Ship INS Surat transported the injured crew members to the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) at Panambur.

According to the Indian Navy, the crew comprised eight Chinese, six Taiwanese, five Myanmarese, and three Indonesian nationals. The crew reportedly abandoned ship following the explosion and the spread of fire.

The Flag Administration of Singapore has been formally notified. India's Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has instructed the ship’s owners to engage qualified salvors and firefighting experts immediately.  

(ANI)