In a remarkable show of maritime coordination, courage, and prompt action, the Indian Navy's INS Surat conducted a daring rescue operation off the coast of Kerala, saving 18 crew members from the Singapore-flagged container ship MV Wan Hai 503, which caught fire en route from Colombo to Mumbai. The incident, which unfolded roughly 78 nautical miles off the Beypore coast, has left four crew members missing and sparked a full-scale search and rescue effort.
Timeline of the Disaster
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Date of Incident: June 9
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Location: Arabian Sea, 78 nautical miles from Beypore coast, Kerala
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Ship: MV Wan Hai 503 (Singapore-flagged container vessel)
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Route: Colombo to Mumbai
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Crew Onboard: 22 members
The fire broke out at sea on Sunday, quickly escalating to a life-threatening emergency. A distress call was issued, prompting an immediate naval response.
Rescue Operation by INS Surat
Responding with precision and urgency, the Indian Naval Ship INS Surat arrived on scene and launched a coordinated evacuation. The warship successfully rescued 18 of the 22 crew members by Monday night.
At 10:45 PM on June 10, INS Surat docked at the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA), Panambur, safely transporting the rescued personnel to shore. Emergency services, port workers, immigration, and local authorities were present and fully mobilized.
“The critically injured were stabilised onboard INS Surat and shifted on arrival under close medical supervision. Immediate evacuation was our priority,” said a Coast Guard official.
Crew Details: Nationalities and Medical Condition
Of the 22 crew members aboard the MV Wan Hai 503:
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8 are Chinese
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4 are Taiwanese
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4 are from Myanmar
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2 are from Indonesia
Injured Crew Members
Critically Injured (2):
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Lu Yanli (17) – China
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Sonitur Haeni (18) – Indonesia
Minor Injuries (4):
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Xu Fabao (3) – China
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Guo Linino (4) – China
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Thein Than Htay (15) – Myanmar
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Kyi Zaw Htoo (16) – Myanmar
All six injured were immediately transferred to AJ Hospital in Kuntikana, Mangaluru, for medical care. Local authorities ensured swift and seamless hospital admission, stabilisation, and emergency attention.
Uninjured Crew Members (12):
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Wei, Chun-Ju (1)
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Tag Peng (2)
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Kan Hiue Wal (5)
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Lin, Chun Cheng (6)
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Feng Li (7)
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Li Fengguang (9)
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Thet Htut Swe (10)
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Guo Erchun (11)
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Holik Asyari (14)
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Su Wei (20)
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Chang, Ren-Han (21)
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Wu, Wen-Chi (22)
These 12 were transported to a hotel in Mangaluru for temporary stay and psychological support.
Missing Crew Members
Tragically, four crew members remain unaccounted for:
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Yu, Bo-Fong (8)
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San Win (12)
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Zaenal Abidin (13)
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Hsieh, Chia-Wen (19)
Efforts are ongoing to locate the missing individuals. The Indian Navy and Coast Guard are continuing an intense search operation in the Arabian Sea, scouring the surrounding areas where the fire first broke out.
Portside Response: A Unified Effort
On arrival at the NMPA Coast Guard berth, scenes of anxiety and relief unfolded as some injured crew disembarked with assistance from fellow seamen, while others were stretchered out by emergency personnel. Witnesses described emotional moments—whispers of gratitude, prayers for the missing, and tearful reunions.
Authorities from immigration, customs, port security, and local police were present and instrumental in:
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Facilitating a seamless handover
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Conducting immigration formalities
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Coordinating medical evacuations
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Ensuring logistical support for rescued personnel
The success of this rescue is a testament to the Indian Navy’s quick mobilization, strategic planning, and unwavering commitment to humanitarian missions. INS Surat’s intervention not only saved 18 lives but also demonstrated India’s maritime preparedness and international goodwill.
Current Status and Next Steps
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18 crew members rescued and safe
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6 injured, under treatment at Mangaluru hospital
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12 uninjured, sheltered at local hotel
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4 still missing — search operations underway
Authorities Continue Monitoring
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Medical updates on the injured are awaited from AJ Hospital.
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Coast Guard and Navy continue deep-sea search missions using air and marine surveillance assets.
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Port and diplomatic officials are in touch with the Singapore shipping authorities and embassies of the affected nationalities.
A Crisis Averted, But Questions Remain
While 18 lives have been saved, the incident underscores ongoing concerns around maritime fire safety, emergency responsiveness, and international crew welfare. The blaze on the MV Wan Hai 503 raises questions about onboard fire suppression systems and protocols, which may become the focus of investigation in coming days.
As the world watches and waits for news of the four missing crew members, this tragedy highlights not just the risks of seafaring, but also the indispensable role of coordinated naval interventions in international waters. The Indian Navy’s swift action has undoubtedly averted a larger catastrophe.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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