Indian Coastguard Struggles to Contain Blaze on Singapore-Flagged Container Ship

India’s coastguard continued efforts Tuesday to extinguish a raging fire aboard the MV Wan Hai 503, a Singapore-flagged container vessel listing off the country’s southern coast after the blaze broke out on Monday.

The 268-metre (879-foot) ship, located approximately 78 nautical miles from Beypore port, carried 22 crew members when the fire erupted. Eighteen sailors have been rescued by Indian coastguard and navy personnel, while four remain unaccounted for.

According to a statement released by the Indian Coast Guard, the vessel is currently tilting between 10 and 15 degrees, with “fires and explosions” still ongoing. Images provided by the authorities show intense flames engulfing container stacks and thick black smoke rising into the air.

Some containers appear to have been blown overboard by a blast.

Crew Members injured

Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority confirmed that several crew members sustained injuries.

Footage released by Indian officials shows firefighting vessels dousing the blaze with water jets as the blackened hull continued to smoulder.

This incident marks the second maritime emergency off India’s southern coastline in recent weeks. On 24 May, a Liberian-flagged container ship carrying hazardous cargo sank off the coast of Kerala.

The Indian Navy rescued all 24 crew members on board.