The Indian Navy and Coast Guard are currently working to control a fire that erupted on a Singapore-flagged cargo ship off the coast of India. The ship, MV Wan Hai 503, was en route from Colombo, Sri Lanka to Mumbai, India when an internal container explosion caused a major fire on board. As a result, 18 crew members have been rescued, but four remain missing. Two crew members are from Taiwan, one from Myanmar, and one from Indonesia.

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has issued an alert for the coast of Kerala due to the potential oil spill and debris from the burning ship. The Indian Navy and Coast Guard are actively working to extinguish the fire and prevent further damage.

Footage from the scene shows the ship emitting large plumes of smoke as rescue efforts continue. The Coast Guard has reported ongoing fires and explosions on board as they work to contain the situation. The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) has dispatched a team to assist in the rescue operations.

During a search and rescue operation on Monday, 18 crew members were safely rescued and brought ashore for medical treatment. The crew had abandoned the ship and were rescued by the Navy after the fire broke out. However, four crew members are still unaccounted for.

Kerala Ports Minister VN Vasavan stated that 50 containers from the ship have fallen into the sea, with some drifting along the coast. The ship was carrying 100 tonnes of bunker oil, raising concerns about potential environmental impact. This incident marks the second maritime disaster in recent weeks near the Kerala coast, following a previous oil spill and sinking of a vessel carrying hazardous cargo.

The state government has taken precautions to protect the coastal environment, including banning fishing in the vicinity of the shipwreck and providing compensation to affected fishing communities. Kerala's rich biodiversity and status as a popular tourist destination underscore the importance of safeguarding its coastal waters.