China has expressed its appreciation for India's prompt and efficient response in rescuing the crew members of the cargo ship MV Wan Hai 503, which caught fire off the coast of Kerala. The incident occurred on June 9, 2025, after an internal container explosion led to a major fire onboard the Singapore-flagged vessel.

The Chinese Embassy has acknowledged and thanked Indian authorities for their swift action in the rescue operation. The vessel, which had 22 crew members including 8 Chinese, 6 Taiwanese, 5 Myanmarese, and 3 Indonesian nationals, was en route from Colombo to Nhava Sheva when the explosion happened approximately 44 nautical miles off Azhikkal, Kerala, and 130 nautical miles northwest of Kochi.

Following the explosion and subsequent fire, the crew was forced to abandon the ship. The Indian Navy, in coordination with the Coast Guard, DG Shipping, and other stakeholders, immediately launched a search and rescue operation. INS Surat and a Dornier aircraft were deployed to provide assistance. By the evening of June 9, 18 of the 22 crew members were successfully rescued by INS Surat. The rescued individuals received first aid, and arrangements were made to transport them to New Mangalore for further medical attention.

However, four crew members remain missing, prompting an ongoing search and rescue mission. The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) has reported that the missing individuals include two from Taiwan, one from Myanmar, and one from Indonesia and has also sent a team to assist in the rescue efforts.

Preliminary reports indicate that approximately 10-15 containers have fallen overboard due to the incident. The fire rapidly spread throughout the midsection of the vessel, which is currently adrift. The Flag Administration of Singapore has been notified, and the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) in India has instructed the ship's owners to engage qualified salvors and firefighting experts immediately.

The Indian Coast Guard has been actively involved in efforts to contain the fire, deploying Dornier aircraft and vessels to the scene. Footage from the area shows the MV Wan Hai 503 emitting large plumes of smoke as the Indian Navy and Coast Guard work to extinguish the flames.

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued an alert for the Kerala coast due to the potential for oil spills and debris from the ship. Kerala Ports Minister VN Vasavan reported that around 50 containers from the ship had fallen into the sea, with the ship carrying 100 tonnes of bunker oil. INCOIS has warned that the containers are drifting along the coast and could reach the coastline within the next three days.

This incident marks the second maritime emergency near the Kerala coast in recent weeks. Last month, a Liberian-flagged vessel carrying oil and hazardous cargo sank in the Arabian Sea, raising concerns about potential harm to residents and marine life. The state government subsequently banned fishing within a 20-nautical mile radius of the shipwreck and announced compensation for affected fishing communities in four districts.