Mangaluru, June 10 (UNI) In a dramatic rescue operation, all 18 crew members aboard the Singapore-flagged container vessel MV Wan Hai 503, which caught fire following a mid-sea explosion off the Kerala coast, were brought safely to Mangaluru late Monday night, thanks to the swift response of the Indian Coast Guard.
The fire broke out early Monday morning, about 88 nautical miles from Beypore, after an explosion on board the vessel, which had sailed from Colombo on June 6 bound for Nhava Sheva Port in Mumbai. The incident prompted an immediate distress alert to which the Indian Coast Guard responded with urgency and efficiency.
According to Indian Coast Guard officials, two of the 18 rescued crew members were critically injured, while four others sustained minor injuries. Immediate arrangements were made to provide emergency medical treatment upon their arrival at New Mangalore Port. The remaining crew members are reported to be stable.
“The operation demonstrates the Coast Guard’s preparedness and commitment to maritime safety,” said an ICG spokesperson. Coordination among immigration authorities, police, and the New Mangalore Port Authority ensured smooth disembarkation and medical support.
The vessel, carrying a total of 22 crew members at the time of departure, was en route to Mumbai with an expected arrival of June 9, when the disaster struck mid-sea. The cause of the explosion and subsequent fire is under investigation, and further information on the vessel’s condition is awaited.
The Indian Coast Guard has earned praise for its timely intervention that averted a potential tragedy at sea.
UNI BDN PRS