The container ship MV Wan Hai 503, en route to Mumbai port with 22 crew members and several containers on board, caught fire while sailing off the Beypore coast.

18 sailors have been rescued so far, with five reported injured. Four crew members remain missing, and search operations are currently underway.

The vessel is a Singapore Flag Container ship, 270 metres long and draught 12.5m with LPC Colombo.

The vessel departed Colombo on 7 June.

The fire is believed to have originated from the ship’s lower deck, and preliminary reports suggest it may have been caused by hazardous materials stored in the containers. Sources indicate that several containers carried highly inflammable substances, including materials that can ignite upon contact with water, air, or due to friction, and possibly cyanide-like compounds.

INS Surat has been entrusted to.provide assistance to the distressed vessel. Additionally, IN DORNIER sortie is also deployed from Garuda.