An explosion on board the MV Wan Hai 503, a Singapore‑flagged container ship, sparked a fierce blaze off the coast of Kerala on June 9, 2025. Indian authorities rescued 18 crew members, but four remain missing amid ongoing firefighting and search efforts.
Explosion and Rescue Operation
On the morning of June 9, an under‑deck explosion tore through one of the ship’s containers about 78 nautical miles off Kerala’s Beypore port, triggering an onboard fire that spread rapidly. The 268‑metre vessel, en route from Colombo to Mumbai, had 22 crew aboard. Indian Navy and Coast Guard units coordinated a swift evacuation; 18 were safely rescued and taken to New Mangalore Port.
Missing Crew Details
Despite the success in rescuing most crew, four remain unaccounted for. They include two nationals from Taiwan, one from Indonesia, and one from Myanmar. An injured crew member sustained serious burns, while several sustained minor injuries during the evacuation.
Firefighting and Salvage Efforts
The Indian Coast Guard deployed five ships, two Dornier surveillance aircraft, and a helicopter to combat the blaze. Firefighting efforts have largely contained the flames on the outer decks, but internal fires and smoldering near fuel tanks persist. A CG helicopter winched a salvage team and air‑crew diver onto the deck to facilitate towing operations. Weather conditions have stabilized, enabling more effective aerial reconnaissance.
Environmental and Safety Concerns
With the vessel carrying over 1.22 lakh metric tonnes of fuel and hazardous cargo, authorities are vigilant about ecological risks and navigation safety along coastal shipping lanes. Additional firefighting support from Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority joins Indian efforts to control possible oil spills.
Ongoing Search and Investigation
Search teams are scanning the affected area for the four missing crew. The cause of the explosion is under investigation, and officials continue to assess cargo integrity and vessel stability. The Priority remains crew safety, fire suppression, and environmental protection.
As operations persist, India’s maritime agencies remain on high alert, coordinating with Singaporean authorities to stabilize the vessel and bring the missing crew home.
