A major fire has engulfed a Singapore-flagged container vessel approximately 70 nautical miles off the coast of Beypore in Kozhikode, Kerala. Despite relentless firefighting efforts, the blaze has remained uncontrollable for over 58 hours, raising concerns about the safety of the crew and potential environmental damage.
Indian Navy’s Swift Rescue Operation
The Indian Navy has rescued 18 crew members from the burning vessel and transported them to Mangaluru for medical treatment and care. A massive search and rescue operation is still underway to locate four missing crew members.
Injuries and Hospitalization
Among the injured are two foreign nationals—Chinese national Lu Yanli and Indonesian national Sonitur Haeni—who suffered serious burn injuries. Both are currently being treated in the emergency intensive care unit (ICU) of a private hospital in Mangaluru. Doctors have stated that their condition is stable, but they are expected to remain under close observation in the ICU for the next four to five days.
Four other crew members sustained minor injuries, and one among them was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday, hospital authorities confirmed.
Crew Composition and International Response
The ill-fated vessel had a total of 22 crew members on board, including 14 Chinese nationals. In response to the incident, the Chinese Embassy has expressed its sincere gratitude to the Indian Navy for its prompt and courageous rescue operation. Embassy officials also extended wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured personnel and a successful conclusion to the firefighting and search efforts.
Ongoing Operations
The Indian Navy and Coast Guard remain engaged in firefighting and recovery efforts, while aerial and surface surveillance continues to track the situation and locate the missing sailors. Authorities are also monitoring the vessel for any signs of potential oil leakage or further structural damage.
As the situation remains tense, maritime authorities are coordinating closely with international agencies to ensure all safety and environmental protocols are followed.
