INDIA . India’s coast guard is battling a fierce fire aboard a container ship carrying hazardous cargo off the country’s southern coast, racing to prevent what officials warn could become a “potential ecological disaster.”
The vessel in question, the 268-metre (879-foot) MV Wan Hai 503, is Singapore-flagged and was sailing with 22 crew members when it caught fire on Monday, approximately 78 nautical miles from Beypore port in Kerala. As of the latest updates, four crew members remain missing, while eighteen have been rescued by the Indian Coast Guard and Navy.
According to a statement released by the coast guard late Wednesday, the ship was loaded with 2,128 metric tons of fuel and hundreds of containers, some of which contain hazardous materials. The exact contents of the hazardous cargo have not yet been disclosed, but officials noted that the situation remains critical.
Photos released soon after the incident showed containers thrown across the deck, appearing to have been displaced by a powerful explosion. The fire quickly spread throughout the ship and continues to burn, particularly in the inner decks and near fuel tanks, despite intense firefighting efforts.
The coast guard has deployed seven vessels, including five of its own ships, along with airplanes and a helicopter, to contain the blaze. A salvage team and a diver have been winched onto the vessel to assist in emergency operations. Plans are underway to tow the vessel farther from the coast to reduce the environmental threat.
“In spite of intensive firefighting efforts, the fire remains active,” the coast guard said, while also confirming that visible flames have been significantly reduced.
This is the second maritime incident in recent weeks involving a vessel carrying hazardous materials in the region. Late last month, a Liberian-flagged container ship sank off Kerala’s coast. Fortunately, all 24 crew members aboard that ship were rescued by the Indian Navy.
Authorities remain on high alert as they attempt to mitigate the current threat posed by the MV Wan Hai 503 and protect sensitive marine ecosystems along India’s southern coastline.
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