Goods include flammable and hazardous materials in Wan Hai 503; Rescue operations underway

Kochi: The Coast Guard has reported that the ship that met with an accident near Beypore contains hazardous materials belonging to four different categories. Rescue operations will be coordinated from the Coast Guard station in Beypore, according to Azheekal Port Officer, Captain Arun Kumar.

The vessel involved in the mishap, MV Wan Hai 503, is 269 meters long. It is carrying cargo that includes four types of hazardous materials: flammable liquids (Class 3), flammable solids (Class 4.1), substances liable to spontaneous combustion (Class 4.2), and toxic substances (Class 6). 

The nearest Coast Guard station is at Beypore. The Kerala Maritime Board also has a port facility there. Hence, the Beypore port has been fully equipped to handle any kind of emergency requirements. Rescue operations are currently underway, he said.

It is not yet possible to confirm what exactly happened on the ship or the current condition of the incident. There were 22 crew members on board, and they are being rescued and brought to the Beypore port, Captain Arun Kumar added.