Daijiworld Media Network – Azhikkal

Azhikkal, Jun 10: The Chinese embassy in India has expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Indian Navy and Mumbai Coast Guard for their swift response and rescue efforts after a massive fire and explosion aboard cargo vessel MV Wan Hai 503 off the Kerala coast on Monday, June 9.

The Singapore-flagged vessel, carrying 22 crew members—including 14 Chinese nationals, six of them from Taiwan—was en route to Nhava Sheva port near Mumbai from Colombo when the incident occurred 44 nautical miles off Azhikkal. The ship, loaded with containerised cargo, was hit by an onboard explosion followed by a fire.

“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,” said Yu Jing, spokesperson of the Chinese embassy in India, in a post on X. Jing also wished a speedy recovery to the injured and success in the ongoing search operations for the missing crew.

Eighteen crew members were rescued and airlifted to safety by INS Surat and brought to the New Mangalore Port Authority’s Coast Guard berth at Panambur. They were later taken to AJ Hospital in Kuntikana for treatment.

The fire, which broke out in the forward bay of the 270m-long cargo vessel, is still active, although Indian Coast Guard (ICG) officials confirmed that a part of it has been brought under control. The ship is reportedly listing 10 to 15 degrees to port, with multiple containers having fallen into the sea.

Responding rapidly, the ICG deployed two Dornier aircraft for aerial surveillance and five ships—including vessels equipped for firefighting and pollution control. ICGS Rajdoot from New Mangalore, ICGS Arnvesh from Kochi, and ICGS Sachet from Agatti were among those diverted to assist in the emergency.

Search efforts continue for the remaining four missing crew members as the Indian Navy and Coast Guard maintain round-the-clock operations near the incident site.