The Incident at Sea.
On June 9, 2025, the Singapore flagged cargo ship MV Wan Hai 503 suffered a severe under deck explosion that triggered a major fire while sailing approximately 44 nautical miles off the coast of Azhikkal, Kerala. The 270 meter long container vessel was en route from Colombo to Nhava Sheva (Mumbai) and was carrying 157 containers, many of which held hazardous or flammable materials. The explosion led to a fire that quickly spread through the vessel, putting the lives of the crew in immediate danger and setting off a large scale emergency response.
/*Rescue Efforts by Indian Forces*/
The Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard acted swiftly. The Navy diverted INS Surat from Kochi and reached the scene to carry out rescue operations, while the Coast Guard deployed multiple ships including ICGS Rajdoot, Arnvesh, Sachet, Samudra Prahari, and Samarth. Dornier aircraft conducted aerial surveillance and dropped firefighting equipment to help control the blaze. Out of the 22 crew members aboard comprising nationals from China, Taiwan, Myanmar, and Indonesia 18 were rescued, including two in critical condition and four with minor injuries. The rescued were transported to New Mangalore Port and then to AJ Hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, four crew members remain missing two Taiwanese, one Indonesian, and one Myanmarese.
/*Ongoing Threat & Environmental Concerns. */
Although firefighting efforts continue, the situation remains hazardous. The ship is still adrift, with a 10–15 degree list, and thick smoke continues to pour from the forward section where the fire is concentrated. Several containers have fallen into the sea, raising serious environmental concerns, especially given the presence of flammable and toxic cargo. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) activated drift and spill simulations to monitor potential marine pollution. Coastal surveillance and preparedness have been heightened as authorities assess the risks of drifting debris and chemical leakage.
/*China Thanks India. */
In a rare diplomatic gesture, China publicly thanked India for its quick and professional response. A spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy in India, Yu Jing, acknowledged that of the 22 crew members, 14 were Chinese, including six from Taiwan. The embassy expressed deep gratitude to the Indian Navy and Coast Guard for their role in the rescue mission and conveyed hopes for the successful recovery of the missing crew and the injured. The gesture highlighted a moment of humanitarian cooperation between the two nations, even amid broader regional tensions.