10/06/2025
OFFICIAL REPORT
Subject: Under-Deck Explosion and Fire Aboard MV Wan Hai 503 – Ongoing Rescue and Investigation Efforts
Date of Incident: Monday, 9 June 2025
Location: Approximately 78–88 nautical miles off the Kerala coast, Arabian Sea
Vessel: MV Wan Hai 503 (Singapore-flagged container ship)
Voyage Route: Colombo, Sri Lanka to Mumbai, India
Incident Summary:
On 9 June 2025, the Singapore-flagged container vessel MV Wan Hai 503 experienced a catastrophic under-deck explosion while transiting the Arabian Sea en route from Colombo to Mumbai. The explosion triggered an intense fire onboard, with the vessel located approximately 78 to 88 nautical miles off the coast of Kerala, India, at the time of the incident.
Crew Status:
• Total Crew Onboard: 22
• Rescued: 18 crew members evacuated the vessel and were safely rescued by coordinated operations of the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.
• Of those rescued, five sustained serious injuries and have been transferred for medical treatment.
• Missing: 4 crew members remain unaccounted for, comprising:
• 2 Taiwanese nationals
• 1 Indonesian national
• 1 Myanmarese national
Search and rescue operations are ongoing with aerial surveillance being conducted by Indian Coast Guard aircraft.
Response Efforts:
Firefighting operations continue, involving multiple Indian naval and coast guard assets, including INS Surat. The operation is focused on:
• Containing and extinguishing the onboard fire
• Conducting aerial reconnaissance and marine surveillance
• Locating and recovering the four missing crew members
• Preventing environmental damage from drifting debris and overboard containers
Cargo and Environmental Concerns:
Preliminary reports indicate that between 20 to 50 containers may have been lost overboard due to the incident. Authorities are currently evaluating the nature of the cargo, with specific concern regarding the presence of hazardous materials, such as:
• Flammable liquids and solids
• Toxic or reactive substances
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is actively monitoring the situation and has deployed a dedicated team to support:
• Search and rescue coordination
• Environmental impact assessment
• Causation investigation, particularly relating to any hazardous cargo onboard
Ongoing Objectives:
Authorities are maintaining a multi-agency coordinated response with the following priorities:
1. Rescue and recovery of the missing crew members
2. Fire suppression and stabilization of the vessel
3. Environmental protection from hazardous spills and container debris
4. Comprehensive investigation into the cause of the explosion and the role of any hazardous cargo
Further updates will be issued as new information becomes available.
