In a dramatic mid-sea emergency on the morning of June 9, 2025, a Singapore-flagged container ship, MV Wan Hai 503, experienced an underdeck explosion off the coast of Kerala, India. The incident prompted an urgent and coordinated rescue response from the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, who managed to save 18 crew members from the blazing vessel. However, four crew members remain missing and five others sustained injuries during the fire that followed the explosion.
Explosion Triggers Massive Fire: Timeline of Events
According to a Defence spokesperson and reports by PTI, the explosion occurred below deck, setting off a fire aboard the 270-metre-long container ship. The Maritime Operations Centre (MOC) in Mumbai was first to report the incident at approximately 10:30 AM, relaying the alert to its Kochi counterpart to coordinate a response.
Vessel Details:
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Name: MV Wan Hai 503
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Flag: Singapore
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Length: 270 metres
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Draught: 12.5 metres
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Last Port of Call: Colombo, Sri Lanka
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Next Scheduled Destination: Mumbai, India
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Departure Date: June 7, 2025
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Expected Arrival: June 10, 2025
🚨 On 09 Jun 25, fire incident reported onboard Singapore-flagged container vessel MV Wan Hai 503 , 78 NM off #Beypore.⁰🔹 @indiannavy diverted INS Surat & planned DO sortie from #INSGaruda.⁰🔹 @IndiaCoastGuard deployed multiple assets including CG Dornier for rescue &… pic.twitter.com/rf7n6gfLA6— PRO Defence Kochi (@DefencePROkochi) June 9, 2025
Indian Navy Responds Swiftly: INS Surat Diverted for Emergency Rescue
Once the alarm was raised, the Indian Navy’s Western Naval Command took immediate action. At 11:00 AM, frontline warship INS Surat, which was en route to dock in Kochi, was diverted to the incident site to provide emergency assistance. This decision underscores the Navy’s preparedness and quick response mechanism in dealing with maritime emergencies off the Indian coastline.
Additional Support from Naval Air Wing:
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A Dornier aircraft sortie was planned from INS Garuda, the naval air station in Kochi.
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The mission was intended to conduct aerial reconnaissance, assess the extent of the fire, and support ongoing rescue and damage-control operations.
#WATCH | MV WAN HAI 503 on passage from Colombo to Nhava Sheva reported an explosion under deck in position 315, Kochi 130. 04 crew reported missing and 05 crew injured. The ship was carrying containerised cargo with a total crew of 22. CGDO on task diverted for assessment. ICGS… pic.twitter.com/HLCZRlKoAo— ANI (@ANI) June 9, 2025
Successful Rescue Operation Amid Uncertainty
Defence sources confirmed that 18 crew members abandoned the vessel after the fire intensified. These individuals were successfully rescued through joint efforts by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. Despite the success of the evacuation, four crew members remain unaccounted for, and five others sustained injuries during the chaotic aftermath of the explosion.
As of now:
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Rescued: 18 crew members
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Injured: 5 crew members
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Missing: 4 crew members
Ongoing Investigation and Situation Assessment
While the cause of the explosion remains unknown, authorities have initiated a full-scale investigation to determine what triggered the underdeck blast.
Key Points Under Investigation:
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Structural vulnerabilities leading to the explosion
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Nature and type of cargo on board
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Possible mechanical or human error
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Fire safety systems and their effectiveness during the crisis
As of now, there have been no reports of cargo damage or environmental hazards. However, more detailed assessments will follow once the fire is fully extinguished and the vessel is stabilized.
Environmental and Safety Protocols: Under Watch
While there are no immediate signs of an oil spill or environmental contamination, the Indian Navy and Coast Guard remain on alert to mitigate any secondary disasters. The 12.5-metre draught vessel’s proximity to the ecologically sensitive Kerala coastline adds further urgency to controlling the situation without spillage or structural breakup.
A Close Call in the Arabian Sea
The MV Wan Hai 503 incident highlights the unpredictable nature of maritime logistics and the ever-present risks of transoceanic shipping. It also shines a light on the Indian Navy and Coast Guard's efficient disaster-response capabilities, as they averted a greater tragedy through swift coordination and action.
As investigations continue, the maritime community will be watching closely for updates on the missing crew members and the root cause of the explosion. Ensuring enhanced safety measures for vessels operating in the busy Arabian Sea route will now be a renewed focus for all stakeholders.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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