Massive Fire on Cargo Ship Sparks Environmental Fears Off Indian Coast
India’s coast guard is in a race against time. A massive fire broke out on a cargo ship carrying hazardous cargo. The incident happened off India’s southern coast and may cause serious environmental damage if not contained soon.
Fire Erupts on MV Wan Hai 503
The ship in trouble is the MV Wan Hai 503. It is a 268-meter-long container vessel, registered in Singapore. On Monday, it caught fire about 78 nautical miles from Beypore Port in Kerala.
There were 22 crew members on board. Thankfully, 18 of them have been rescued. However, four are still missing — one from Indonesia, two from Taiwan, and one from Myanmar.
Meanwhile, photos from the Indian coast guard revealed a chaotic scene. Containers appeared scattered across the deck, as if an explosion had occurred before the flames spread.
Dangerous Cargo and Fuel Increase the Risk
Authorities revealed the ship was carrying over 2,100 metric tons of fuel. In addition, hundreds of containers, some with hazardous materials, were also on board. As a result, the risk to marine life and nearby shipping routes has grown.
While officials didn’t share exact details about the hazardous cargo, they emphasized the seriousness of the situation. According to the coast guard, the danger remains high.
Firefighting and Rescue Operations Underway
Rescue teams from the Indian coast guard and navy have joined forces. So far, they have dropped five salvage experts and one diver onto the burning ship. Their goal is to attach a towline and pull the ship away from the coast to prevent an ecological disaster.
So far, crews have reduced flames on the outer decks. However, the fire still burns deep inside — especially near the fuel tanks, which raises major safety concerns.
To strengthen the firefighting efforts, seven ships are in action. These include five coast guard vessels. Moreover, aircraft and a helicopter are also part of the operation.
Recent Trouble in the Same Region
This isn’t the first time a cargo ship has run into trouble near India’s southern waters. Just a few weeks ago, another ship — this one flying a Liberian flag — sank off the Kerala coast. It was also carrying hazardous cargo. Thankfully, all 24 crew members were rescued by the Indian navy.
Due to these repeated incidents, the Indian coast guard is staying on high alert. They are now taking stricter safety measures to avoid future disasters at sea.
Adapted for www.shiportrade.com
News originally published by 24NewsHD
