Fire on Singapore-Flagged Vessel Off Kochi: Multi-Agency Probe Begins

A massive fire broke out aboard the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel WAN HAI 503 about 70 nautical miles off the Kerala coast on June 9. The blaze, which damaged over 1,000 containers on the ship, has prompted the formation of a five-agency investigation team to uncover the cause and assess environmental risks.

The panel includes officials from the Directorate General of Shipping, the Indian Coast Guard, Customs, the Port Authority, and Kerala Police. Their task is to determine the cause of the sudden fire and evaluate safety lapses. Sources suggest the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) may also be involved if the situation escalates.

So far, 22 crew members have been rescued, while four are still missing. Initial findings indicate that 1,015 containers—some carrying hazardous chemicals—have fallen into the sea. Authorities are now assessing the environmental threat posed by potential chemical leaks and marine pollution.

This is the second maritime incident off the Kerala coast within two months, raising questions about shipping safety standards in the region. Investigators are focusing on whether the vessel was carrying inflammable cargo and whether emergency protocols were adequately followed.

Experts believe the outcome of this investigation could lead to tighter regulations for foreign-flagged vessels in Indian waters, especially those carrying hazardous material. Meanwhile, efforts continue to contain the situation at sea and trace the missing crew members.

The incident has sparked concern among environmentalists and the shipping community, with calls for stricter inspections and enhanced coordination between maritime agencies to prevent such disasters in the future.