By Africa Live News Staff
Arabian Sea, India – June 10, 2025
A large-scale maritime emergency is underway off the southern coast of India as efforts intensify to extinguish a raging fire aboard the Singapore-flagged cargo ship, MV Wan Hai 503, following a devastating explosion on Monday. The vessel, which was en route to Mumbai from Colombo, suffered a catastrophic blaze in the Arabian Sea, prompting urgent rescue operations and environmental alerts.
The Indian Navy and Coast Guard, working around the clock since Monday, have rescued 18 crew members so far. However, four remain missing, as search-and-rescue efforts continue amid thick smoke, container explosions, and dangerous conditions on board.
Inferno at Sea: What Happened?
The incident unfolded on the morning of June 9, when the ship reported an internal container explosion, triggering an uncontrollable fire. MV Wan Hai 503, a container ship sailing under the Singaporean flag, was navigating international waters close to the Indian state of Kerala when the alarm was raised.
As fire engulfed parts of the ship, the crew abandoned the vessel using a lifeboat, from where they were rescued by Indian naval teams.
“The fire was intense and expanding rapidly. We received an emergency call about a container explosion, and immediately deployed naval and Coast Guard assets to the scene,” said an official from India’s Ministry of Defence.
Rescue Efforts and Ongoing Search
According to Indian officials, the 18 rescued crew members were brought safely ashore and provided with medical attention. Several of them suffered minor injuries and smoke inhalation, but are in stable condition.
Meanwhile, four crew members are still unaccounted for, and include citizens from Taiwan (2), Myanmar (1), and Indonesia (1). The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) has confirmed that it has dispatched a response team to India to assist with ongoing search-and-rescue operations.
“We are deeply concerned about our missing crew and are working closely with Indian authorities to locate them as quickly as possible,” the MPA said in a statement.
Environmental Concerns Rise Over Oil Spill and Debris
Adding to the crisis, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued an environmental alert due to a potential oil spill and floating container debris drifting toward the Kerala coast.
According to Kerala Ports Minister VN Vasavan, approximately 50 containers from the cargo ship have fallen into the sea, raising fears about chemical contamination, marine traffic hazards, and pollution along Kerala’s ecologically sensitive coastline.
“Containers are already drifting in the sea and may reach Kerala’s shores within three days,” INCOIS told Manorama News, while noting that 100 tonnes of bunker oil remain on board the ship.
Footage aired by local media on Tuesday showed the vessel still emitting massive plumes of black smoke, with visible fire flare-ups and secondary explosions on the ship’s deck.
Second Maritime Incident in Three Weeks
This alarming incident follows closely on the heels of another maritime disaster in the region. Just three weeks ago, a Liberian-flagged vessel carrying hazardous cargo leaked and eventually sank in the Arabian Sea, again near the Kerala coast.
That incident triggered widespread environmental panic, especially after the leak posed a direct threat to marine life and public health in coastal communities. In response, the Kerala government banned fishing within a 20-nautical-mile radius of the site and announced compensation packages for affected families in four districts.
“The repetition of such incidents in such a short time is worrying. We cannot afford to compromise our marine ecosystems and coastal livelihoods,” said environmental advocate Dr. Asha Menon, urging tighter maritime safety checks for vessels operating near India’s coastlines.
Kerala’s Coastal Vulnerability
The state of Kerala boasts one of India’s most biodiverse coastal zones and is home to thousands of fishing families. Its economy and tourism industry are deeply intertwined with the health of its marine ecosystems. The stretch from Alappuzha to Kozhikode, in particular, is noted for its rich mangroves, fish breeding grounds, and coral reefs.
“If oil reaches the shore, the damage to local biodiversity could take years to reverse,” warned Prof. Ramesh Nair, a marine ecologist at the University of Kerala. “Urgent action must be taken not just to extinguish the fire, but also to secure the cargo, remove contaminants, and contain the fallout.”
Next Steps in the Emergency Response
The Indian Coast Guard has deployed multiple fire-fighting vessels, helicopters, and surveillance aircraft to manage the emergency. The challenge now is twofold: to locate the missing crew and to bring the fire under control before the ship destabilizes further or sinks.
“The fire is not yet contained, and we’re closely monitoring the situation minute by minute,” a senior Coast Guard officer told Africa Live News on condition of anonymity.
International maritime safety experts are also expected to arrive in Kerala in the coming days to assist in salvaging operations and assess environmental risks.
As of Wednesday morning, the Kerala government has advised all local fishers to avoid the affected maritime zone and has set up emergency monitoring stations along vulnerable coastal areas.
Conclusion: A Crisis That Demands Regional Cooperation
The fire aboard MV Wan Hai 503 is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by international maritime trade routes that cut through ecologically rich yet vulnerable regions. While the immediate priority is saving lives and preventing an environmental disaster, the incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety regulations, cross-border cooperation, and better monitoring systems for hazardous cargo.
For now, Kerala watches nervously as the flames in the Arabian Sea continue to rise—bringing with them the specter of another maritime catastrophe.
