Indian Navy rescues 18 crew members from Singaporean vessel MV Wan Hai 503 after onboard fire

In a closely coordinated Search and Rescue operation with the Indian Coast Guard, the Indian Navy has successfully rescued 18 out of 22 crew members of the Singapore-flagged container ship MV Wan Hai 503, following a major fire caused by an internal container explosion. The incident occurred yesterday morning, with inputs received around 9:30 AM.

Upon receiving the alert, the Indian Navy swiftly deployed INS Surat and a Dornier aircraft to assist in the emergency response. First aid was provided to the injured crew, and the vessel is now en route to New Mangalore port for the disembarkation of crew members and further medical treatment.

Although the nationalities of the crew have not been officially confirmed, such merchant vessels often include Bangladeshi seafarers, highlighting the regional significance of the rescue effort.