Kochi: A dramatic maritime incident unfolded early Monday as a Singapore-flagged cargo vessel, WAN HAI 503, caught fire off the Kerala coast, forcing nearly 50 containers into the sea. The ship, carrying around 650 containers, was en route from Colombo to Mumbai when the blaze broke out.
The incident occurred approximately 20 nautical miles west of the Kerala shoreline, between Beypore and Azhikkal, within a key international shipping route. About 40 crew members were reportedly aboard at the time of the fire.
Responding swiftly, the Indian Coast Guard and Navy launched a full-scale search and rescue operation, deploying ships and aircraft to control the situation and safeguard lives.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has instructed the State Disaster Management Authority to coordinate with the District Collectors of Ernakulam and Kozhikode to ensure emergency medical aid and shelter arrangements if the crew needs to be brought ashore.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation as maritime authorities continue to monitor the unfolding situation closely.
