Massive Explosion on Cargo Ship Sparks Emergency off Kerala Coast
On the morning of June 9, 2025, a major maritime emergency unfolded in the Arabian Sea after a Singapore-flagged cargo ship, MV Wan Hai 503, reported a massive explosion and fire approximately 78–90 nautical miles off the Beypore coast in Kerala. The explosion, which occurred below the deck, led to chaos onboard, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel amidst a growing inferno.
BIG NEWS 🚨 Explosion reported on Singapore-flagged ship off Kerala coast.
— Times Algebra (@TimesAlgebraIND) June 9, 2025
Following the report, the Indian Navy swiftly diverted INS Surat to the site to offer immediate assistance.
Indian Coast Guard and Navy started the rescue operations.
So far, 18 out of 22 crew members… pic.twitter.com/6ZETlox00d
Thanks to the swift intervention of the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard, 18 out of 22 crew members have been rescued so far. However, 4 crew members remain missing, and rescue efforts are still underway.
The incident raises fresh concerns about safety aboard international container ships navigating Indian waters, especially with rising cargo volume and hazardous material transport.
INS Surat, Indian Navy, and Coast Guard Launch Coordinated Rescue Operation
Upon receiving the distress signal from MV Wan Hai 503 around 10:30 a.m. IST, the Indian Navy immediately diverted INS Surat, a modern guided-missile destroyer, toward the incident site. In tandem, the Indian Coast Guard deployed its ships Vikram and Samar, alongside a Dornier surveillance aircraft to locate missing crew and assess damage.
The rescue operation was a display of high-level coordination between maritime forces and private vessels in the vicinity. The merchant vessel MV One Marvel also responded to the SOS and played a role in recovering crew members from open waters.
The 18 rescued seafarers—including nationals from Taiwan, Indonesia, Myanmar, and India—have been given medical assistance onboard naval and Coast Guard ships. One crew member is reported to be in critical condition.
The vessel remains adrift and continues to emit smoke, while emergency firefighting measures are ongoing. Several containers reportedly fell into the sea, and there are fears of potential environmental hazards depending on cargo content.
What We Know So Far: Ship Fire Origin, Missing Crew, and Investigation
WATCH - pic.twitter.com/qnAfytNqEx
— Times Algebra (@TimesAlgebraIND) June 9, 2025
The exact cause of the explosion remains unknown, but early speculation points toward a fire triggered by hazardous cargo in one of the containers. A joint investigation is now underway by the Directorate General of Shipping and Wan Hai Lines, the Singapore-based company operating the ship.
The MV Wan Hai 503 was reportedly en route from Colombo to Nhava Sheva (Mumbai) when the incident occurred. The status of the missing 4 crew members remains uncertain, and search operations continue across a defined grid in the Arabian Sea.
Maritime security agencies are also working to ensure that no secondary explosions or oil spills occur, which could further endanger the ecology of India’s western coastline.
This incident comes as a reminder of the risks faced by maritime workers and the critical importance of naval readiness in India’s coastal security framework.
