"Gratitude To Indian Navy": China On Swift Rescue Of Fire-Hit Cargo Ship
China has expressed gratitude to India for successfully rescuing the crew of the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel MV Wan Hai 503 that caught fire off the Kerala coast on June 9.
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Four crew members remain missing from the Singapore-flagged vessel after the incident.
Beijing:
China has expressed its appreciation to India for the rescue operation of crew members aboard the Singapore-flagged vessel MV Wan Hai 503, which caught fire near Kerala's coast on June 9. Chinese Embassy spokesperson in India, Yu Jing, shared on X that among the 22 crew members, 14 were Chinese nationals, and extended thanks to the Indian Navy and Mumbai Coast Guard for their swift response.
"MV Wan Hai 503 experienced an explosion and fire onboard approximately 44 nautical miles from Azhikkal, Kerala, on June 9. The vessel carried 22 crew members, including 14 Chinese nationals (six from Taiwan). We extend our sincere gratitude to the Indian Navy and Mumbai Coast Guard for their efficient and professional rescue efforts," Yu Jing stated on the social media platform.
On June 9, MV Wan Hai 503 encountered onboard explosion and fire 44 nautical miles off Azhikkal, Kerala. Of the total 22 crew members on board, 14 are Chinese, including 6 from Taiwan. Our gratitude goes to the Indian Navy @indiannavy and the Mumbai Coast Guard for their prompt… https://t.co/3V8vr1xVW9
— Yu Jing (@ChinaSpox_India) June 10, 2025
Following the incident, four crew members remain unaccounted for, five sustained injuries, while 18 were successfully rescued. Chinese officials expressed hope for successful ongoing search operations and a quick recovery for those injured.
The explosion occurred as the vessel was traveling from Colombo to Nhava Sheva near Mumbai. A container exploded, triggering a significant fire when the ship was approximately 70 nautical miles from Kozhikode. Currently, the vessel remains adrift at sea.
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has deployed its Search and Rescue Aid Tool (SARAT) to monitor potential drift patterns of containers, debris, and possibly missing personnel. INCOIS has additionally warned about the risk of an oil spill from the vessel.
While the exact volume of potential spillage remains undetermined, forecast models indicate that any oil would likely move parallel to the coastline between June 10 and June 13, with authorities maintaining continuous monitoring efforts.
Coastal authorities have been advised to enhance surveillance measures and prepare local communities for possible navigation hazards or shoreline impacts.