China Thanks India for Swift Rescue of Crew from MV Wan Hai 503 Incident

Incident Overview

Following a significant explosion and fire on the MV Wan Hai 503 near the coast of Kerala, China has expressed its appreciation to Indian authorities for their rapid and effective rescue operations. Yu Jing, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in India, shared on social media that the incident occurred on June 9, approximately 44 nautical miles from Azhikkal, Kerala. Out of the 22 crew members aboard, 14 were Chinese, including six from Taiwan.

Rescue Operations

The Chinese Embassy's statement highlighted gratitude towards the Indian Navy and the Mumbai Coast Guard for their prompt response. They also wished for the success of ongoing search efforts and a swift recovery for the injured crew members. The explosion was reported to have occurred below deck while the vessel was traveling from Colombo to Nhava Sheva.

Casualties and Response

Reports indicate that four crew members are missing, and five others sustained injuries during the incident. The Indian Coast Guard has deployed ships to manage firefighting and rescue operations. The MV Wan Hai 503 was carrying containerized cargo and had a total of 22 crew members on board. The Coast Guard's operations were initiated promptly to assess the situation.

Coast Guard Actions

Units from the Indian Coast Guard were quickly redirected to provide assistance. Ships including ICGS Rajdoot, ICGS Arnvesh, and ICGS Sachet were dispatched for support. An aircraft from the Coast Guard also surveyed the area and dropped supplies. The Coast Guard reported, 'Quick response by India Coast Guard after explosion on Singapore-flagged MV WAN HAI 503, 130 NM NW of Kerala coast.'

Current Situation

Fires and explosions were noted from mid-ships to the container bay near the accommodation block. While the fire in the forward bay is under control, thick smoke is still present. The vessel is leaning approximately 10-15 degrees to port, with additional containers reported to have fallen overboard. The Coast Guard ships Samudra Prahari and Sachet are actively engaged in firefighting and boundary cooling operations, with ICG ship Samarth being deployed from Kochi. Further updates are expected from the Coast Guard.