Fire on hazard-laden cargo ship off Kerala sparks environmental emergency

A massive fire aboard the Singapore-flagged cargo ship Wan Hai 503 off the Kerala coast has escalated into a potential environmental emergency.

The vessel, which caught fire on Monday, is reportedly carrying 157 containers of hazardous chemicals, including 240 tonnes of diesel, alcohol, pesticide, naphthalene and other chemicals.

Officials fear that a further spread of the fire or an explosion could have devastating consequences for the surrounding marine ecosystem and nearby coastal communities. Public warnings have been issued to residents in vulnerable coastal areas.

The blaze, which started at the rear of the vessel, has now reached the front sections, with bays two and three engulfed in flames. The fire’s spread toward the fuel storage area has intensified fears of a possible explosion. Authorities say the vessel is at risk of tilting due to the structural stress caused by the ongoing fire.

Firefighting efforts have been severely hampered by extreme onboard heat, which has prevented personnel from rappelling onto the ship. Three Coast Guard ships have been deployed for fire suppression, and while the intensity has been somewhat reduced, flames continue to burn. Two additional tugboats and salvage experts are en route to assist.

Eighteen crew members were safely evacuated by the Indian Navy’s INS Surat late Monday night and brought to Mangalore Port around 11:30pm. However, four crew members remain missing. Rescue teams are on standby, waiting for onboard temperatures to drop before launching further operations.

The Indian Coast Guard remains on high alert, with ships Sachet and Samudra Prahari continuing firefighting operations through the night. A Dornier aircraft conducted an aerial survey on Tuesday morning to assess the situation from above.

The vessel has begun drifting about one nautical mile southward, further complicating containment and salvage efforts. The Coast Guard ship Samarth, carrying a salvage master, is en route to coordinate recovery efforts and mitigate technical risks.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has convened an emergency meeting. Negotiations are ongoing with the ship’s operating company to manage the crisis and prevent further damage.