Cover Image: ©Indian Coast Guard
Firefighting efforts aboard the containership Wan Hai 503 are ongoing, with Indian Coast Guard and salvage teams making partial progress amid challenging conditions.
According to the most recent updates from the Indian Coast Guard, about 40 per cent of the fire has been brought under control.
The blaze, triggered by a container explosion, remains active in the inner decks near the vessel’s fuel tanks, posing environmental and safety risks.
Of the 22 crew members, 18 have been rescued. Two remain hospitalised with serious injuries, while 16 have been discharged. Four crew members are still missing, with search and rescue operations ongoing, supported by Coast Guard ships, aircraft, and helicopters.
READ: Fire hits Singaporean Wan Hai 503 vessel off Indian Coast
The ship is currently drifting approximately 44 nautical miles off Kerala, moving slowly south-southeast.
The Wan Hai 503 was en route from Colombo to Singapore, carrying 1,754 containers—including 143 hazardous cargo units—and over 2,000 tonnes of fuel oil.
Authorities have warned of the serious risk posed by the fuel and hazardous materials onboard.
Between 10 and 15 containers have fallen overboard, and authorities are monitoring their drift to prevent navigational hazards and potential coastal impact.
