The Kindest Destroyer: INS Surat and Coastguard saves Wan Hai 503 crew
A Singapore vessel of massive 270m length, MV Wan Hai 503 caught unprecedented fire at just a distance of 44 nautical miles off Azhikkal, Kerala, during the journey from Colombo to Nhava Seva port.
As reported by Chinese spokesperson to India, Yu Jing, the crew of 22 consisted of 14 Chinese members, including 6 from Taiwan. The Chinese government took it to international notice to applaud for the swift evacuation procedure of the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard in rescuing the members safely. It is indeed an interesting case to observe that a ship meant to destroy has rather saved Chinese crew members from destruction—a classic helpful and welcoming gesture from India.
Reportedly five of the rescued members are injured, and they have been taken to the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) Coast Guard berth, Panambur. They were later admitted to AJ Hospital, Kuntikana.
The Indian Coast Guard is still instrumental in finding the four missing crew members and removing the emissions. The economic loss has been quite significant for the ship, as 10 containers had already gone into the depths of Indian water.
The concern of similar shipwrecks has also raised alertness in the naval and coast guard operations, as this is the second incident at a close geographical range—the first incident being MSC Elsa 3, where all the crew members had been rescued by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard as well—even though certain oil contamination reports are still to be heard.
