Fire on cargo ship off India sparks fears of 'ecological disaster'
Five coastguard ships, two Dornier aircraft, and a helicopter are tackling the blaze on board the Singapore-flagged container vessel MV Wan Hai 503, according to India's Ministry of Defence.
The 269m (890ft) ship, carrying 2,128 metric tonnes of fuel, is adrift approximately 42 nautical miles from the port of Beypore in the state of Kerala.
Defence officials described the incident as a "serious risk to the marine environment and regional shipping routes".
"With the fire yet to be fully extinguished, efforts to establish a towline and pull the vessel away from the coast are underway to prevent a potential ecological disaster.
"The situation remains critical and is being monitored continuously," the statement added.
Te Indian Coast Guard (ICG) said salvage team members were winched onto the burning vessel on Wednesday to help with the towing operation.
But the sea conditions were described as "unfavourable" and while the fire had been "largely contained" the inner decks are still ablaze.
The ship left Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, on 7 June and was due to arrive on Monday at Mumbai's Jawaharlal Nehru Port, the second largest container port in India.
The coastguard received a distress alert from the ship Monday morning reporting an explosion and fire inside one of the containers, which then spread.
Of the 22 crew, 18 abandoned the vessel with assistance from the Indian Navy and coastguard while four are missing, commandant Amit Uniyal of the ICG said in a statement.
Indian officials have not yet given the cause of the explosion and fire on the vessel. It is managed by Singapore-based Wan Hai Lines, according to a statement from Singaporean authorities.
Late last month, a Liberia-flagged MSC ELSA 3 container ship sailing between the Indian ports of Vizhinjam and Kochi sank about 38 nautical miles off Kerala.
The state government issued a high alert in its coastal areas and asked fishermen not to venture near the site where the container ship, which carried hazardous cargo, had sunk.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
17 minutes ago
- BBC News
Gorleston primary school still assessing extent of fire damage
A primary school that had to be evacuated after fire broke out on the last day of the summer term is still assessing the extent of the from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service were called to Ormiston Cliff Park Primary Academy in Orde Avenue, Gorleston, at about 13:16 BST on 18 a letter to parents, principal Louise Watkins said pastoral support would be offered to pupils and staff upon the school's return. A fire service spokesperson said: "Our fire investigation has determined accidental cause and that the fire started in the roof." The school, part of Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT), was evacuated with all children accounted for while the fire was brought under control. Over the weekend, parents were able to collect children's belongings and the school said any uncollected items, including bikes and scooters, would be stored securely until the start of the new school year in September. Former pupil Myleene Klass, now an ambassador for the school, shared WOra post of support to her Instagram with a picture of smoke billowing out of the building. She said: "To Cliff Park teachers and pupils, I'm glad you're all safe."I'm told teachers did a phenomenal job of getting you out. I'm sorry your last day of term looked like this, I'm relieved you're all ok. Sending my love." In her letter to parents, Mrs Watkins said the school was still in the early stages of "understanding the impact of Friday's fire".It said: "Despite the challenges we must now navigate, I am confident that the unity and spirit shown will help us return stronger than ever. "None of us could have anticipated the final day of term unfolding as it did. Despite it being managed to the best of our ability, it was of course a very worrying experience for all involved."While our firm ambition and intention is to re-open our provision fully as planned in September... given the extent of the fire, the work required is complex and will take time."It said some less essential parts of the building would need ongoing work from September but that the school would make sure disruption was "minimised". OAT said: "Our aim remains to welcome all pupils back to school as planned in September, ready to learn in a safe and supportive environment."We will continue to keep parents and carers updated over the summer and are doing everything we can to ensure a smooth return." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
13 hours ago
- BBC News
Landlines to be reconnected after Llangeler tractor fire
Work to restore broadband and landline services affected by a fire that broke out in a tractor is to begin next blaze began in a tractor on the A484 near Llangeler, Carmarthenshire, on 18 July, before spreading to other vehicles and a from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were on scene for more than three said "complex" repair work would begin on Tuesday, adding: "We understand how frustrating this is and the impact it's having, so we really appreciate everyone's patience and understanding while we carry out the repairs." It added its network was damaged in the fire, with overhead cables affected and broadband and landline services disrupted for some customers in the area. It said it was working closely with the council and partners to resolve the issue. "The work is complex and time-consuming, involving both fibre and copper cables, which require different specialist teams," Openreach customers experiencing issues have been asked to contact their service provider for support. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the fire was believed to have started in a tractor but spread to a load of hay bales that were under also spread to two other vehicles, along with a nearby house, where it was confined to the kitchen and attic.
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Binned batteries started bin lorry fire in the Arboretum
A lorry load of rubbish had to be dumped on a Nottingham street after binned batteries sparked a from London Road and Stockhill fire stations were called to a Nottingham City Council bin lorry that had caught fire in Hardy Street, in the Arboretum, on Thursday waste had to be emptied on to the road, said the fire service, so crews could work through it and fully extinguish the are urging residents to check with their local council or recycling centre for guidance on how to safely dispose of batteries to help prevent future fires
