More blasts have rocked the container ship Wan Hai 503 as hopes fade for the four seamen who went missing when an initial explosion happened on 9 June.
The missing men comprise two Taiwanese, one Indonesian, and one Myanmar national. The Singapore-flagged Wan Hai 503, which was sailing from Colombo to Mumbai, continues burning off Kerala, India.
While Indian media reported that hazardous goods caused the explosions, Taiwanese operator Wan Hai Lines said in a Taiwan Stock Exchange filing that the cause of the blast is being investigated.
The Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore said today (11 June): “Fire-fighting operations are ongoing onboard the Singapore-registered container vessel Wan Hai 503, off the coast of India. Two additional firefighting vessels deployed by the Indian authorities and the vessel owner are scheduled to arrive onsite this evening to support the ongoing response.”
Wan Hai 503 was crewed by 22 seafarers, and the other 18 had evacuated the ship on lifeboats.
MPA continued: “The 18 crew who were earlier rescued have safely arrived at New Mangalore Port. Six injured crew members have been transferred to a shore medical facility. Three have since been discharged.”
Wan Hai 503 is now listing about 10 to 15 degrees to the port side. MPA said the Indian authorities are using aerial surveillance to look for the missing seafarers.
The Authority added that it “has been working with the vessel’s classification society and the Indian authorities to provide technical information to support the Indian authorities’ ongoing efforts to stabilise the situation and manage the fire. This includes information to guide fire containment measures, assess fire conditions onboard, and monitor the vessel’s stability.”
MPA is monitoring the situation in close coordination with the Indian authorities, including supporting the assessment of the vessel’s structural integrity and the potential for environmental impact.
The Indian authorities are concerned that the burning ship, insured by Britannia P&I club, could have an environmental impact on the Kerala coast.
