A Singapore-flagged container ship caught fire in the Arabian Sea, about 70 nautical miles off the Kerala coast on June 9, prompting a large-scale rescue and firefighting operation by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. Eighteen crew members of MV Wan Hai 503 were rescued after jumping into the sea, but four others are still unaccounted for, officials confirmed.
The vessel, which had departed Colombo on June 7 en route to Mumbai, reported a fire on board near the Beypore–Azhikkal stretch. Visuals from the scene showed the ship’s upper deck engulfed in flames with dense smoke rising, raising fears of further explosions. The 270-metre-long vessel is also listing 10 to 15 degrees to port, raising serious concerns about its stability.
The Indian Coast Guard deployed four ships and aircraft to the site, while the Navy also mobilized resources from Kochi and Mangaluru. According to Port Officer Capt K. Arun Kumar, some of the containers on board are carrying hazardous cargo, including inflammable liquids and toxic substances, complicating firefighting efforts.
Search Operations Continue, Hospitals on Alert
Authorities confirmed that no Indian nationals are among the crew, which includes 14 Chinese citizens, six of whom are from Taiwan. The Chinese Embassy in India has acknowledged that 14 of the crew are Chinese nationals, including six from Taiwan, and extended gratitude to the Indian authorities for their prompt action. The embassy confirmed that two Taiwanese nationals remain unaccounted for, with search operations continuing in the area.
With the alert raised by the Coast Guard, hospitals in Kozhikode and Kochi have been placed on standby for possible emergency care. Medical and port authorities at Beypore are preparing to receive the rescued crew, and response teams are ready in case of toxic exposure or injuries.
Meanwhile, the Indian Coast Guard said the fire, believed to have started following an onboard explosion, is still active in parts of the vessel. Containers have begun falling overboard, intensifying concerns over environmental damage. Officials confirmed that marine pollution containment measures are underway.
The Directorate General of Shipping and Singapore’s Flag Administration have been informed, and a detailed investigation is expected to follow. The Indian Coast Guard continues to monitor the site round-the-clock amid fears of secondary explosions or worsening sea conditions.
Efforts are focused on finding the four missing crew members and stabilizing the damaged vessel. The incident is being treated as one of the most serious maritime emergencies in the region in recent times, highlighting the critical role of India’s maritime rescue infrastructure.
