A major fire continues to rage on the Singapore-flagged container ship, MV Wan Hai 503, for the third consecutive day in the Arabian Sea, off the coast of Kerala, India. The initial explosion, which triggered the blaze, occurred on Monday, June 9, 2025, approximately 78 nautical miles from Beypore port, prompting a large-scale response from Indian authorities. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has now joined the firefighting efforts, deploying its MI-17 V5 helicopter to assist in dousing the flames.
The MV Wan Hai 503, a 268-meter container vessel, was en route from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to Mumbai, India, when the incident occurred. The ship was carrying 22 crew members. Following the explosion and subsequent fire, 18 crew members were rescued by the combined efforts of the Indian Coast Guard and Navy. However, four crew members remain missing. According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the missing individuals include two Taiwanese nationals, one from Myanmar, and one from Indonesia. The MPA has dispatched a team to assist in the ongoing search and rescue operations.
The rescued crew members were safely transported to New Mangalore Port in Karnataka, India. Six of them sustained injuries and were admitted to a shore medical facility. As of June 10, 2025, three of the injured have been discharged.
The Indian Coast Guard has been battling the blaze since Monday, with multiple vessels, including Samudra Prahari and Sachet, actively engaged in firefighting operations. The Coast Guard has also deployed a Dornier aircraft to provide aerial surveillance of the situation, as thick plumes of black smoke continue to emanate from the cargo vessel. Visuals from the scene show the ship listing at approximately 10-15 degrees, with flames leaping from the stacked containers.
Recognizing the need for additional support, the Indian Air Force has deployed an MI-17 V5 helicopter, known for its capabilities in firefighting and disaster relief operations. The MI-17 V5 is equipped with advanced avionics, weather radar, and powerful aero engines suitable for challenging operational environments. It is also equipped with "Bambi Bucket" operations, which involves using a large bucket suspended from the helicopter to scoop up water and drop it on the fire. The helicopter's ability to operate in all weather conditions and its night vision capabilities make it a valuable asset in the ongoing firefighting efforts.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore is closely monitoring the situation and providing technical support to the Indian authorities. This includes assessing the vessel's structural integrity, guiding fire containment strategies, and monitoring the ship's stability. Concerns are also growing about potential environmental risks. The vessel is carrying 2,128 metric tons of fuel and hazardous cargo. Fifty containers have fallen into the sea and are drifting along the coast of Kerala, posing a threat of oil spills and debris contamination. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued an alert for the Kerala coast, warning of potential environmental hazards.
The incident involving MV Wan Hai 503 is the second major maritime incident off the coast of Kerala in recent weeks. On May 25, 2025, a Liberia-flagged container ship, MSC Elsa 3, capsized near Kochi, resulting in the spillage of oil and containers, some of which contained dangerous goods like calcium carbide. These recurring incidents raise concerns about maritime safety and environmental protection in the region.
