China thanks Indian Navy, Coast Guard for swift rescue of its nationals

By Admin

11 Jun, 2025

In a powerful display of international cooperation and maritime solidarity, China has expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Indian Navy and the Mumbai Coast Guard for their swift and professional efforts in rescuing Chinese nationals from a burning cargo vessel off the Kerala coast.

MV Wan Hai 503: Fire in the Arabian Sea

On Monday, June 9, the Singapore-flagged container vessel MV Wan Hai 503 experienced a sudden explosion below deck, leading to a major fire onboard. At the time, the vessel was navigating the Arabian Sea on its voyage from Colombo to Nhava Sheva and was positioned about 78 nautical miles off Beypore, near Kozhikode in Kerala.

The situation quickly escalated, forcing 18 of the 22 crew members onboard to abandon ship and jump into the sea. They were later rescued by the Indian Navy. Of the total crew, 14 were Chinese nationals, including six individuals from Taiwan. Tragically, four crew members who had gone below deck to combat the initial blaze are still reported missing.

China Acknowledges India’s Maritime Response

Yu Jing, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in India, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to acknowledge India’s humanitarian assistance. “On June 9, MV Wan Hai 503 encountered an onboard explosion and fire 44 nautical miles off Azhikkal, Kerala... Our gratitude goes to the Indian Navy and the Mumbai Coast Guard for their prompt and professional rescue. We wish further search operations successful and the injured crew members a speedy recovery,” the post read.

Rescue Operations Continue Amid Firefighting Efforts

Indian maritime authorities acted with urgency. The Indian Coast Guard deployed multiple ships, including Samudra Prahari, Sachet, and Samarth, to the scene. According to a statement on Tuesday, firefighting and boundary cooling operations are ongoing. While the fire in the forward bay has been brought under control, thick smoke continues to pose operational challenges. The vessel is currently listing approximately 10–15 degrees to port, and several containers have reportedly gone overboard.

Salvage Teams Deployed, Search Continues

Efforts are underway not only to fully extinguish the remaining fire but also to stabilize the adrift vessel. Salvors from Kochi are en route to support the containment and recovery process, with the primary focus now on locating the four missing crew members and securing the vessel to prevent further environmental or navigational hazards.

Conclusion: A Testament to Global Maritime Cooperation

This incident highlights the risks faced by seafarers and the importance of quick response in maritime emergencies. The prompt intervention by Indian forces not only saved lives but also strengthened diplomatic goodwill between India and China. The coordinated rescue mission stands as a shining example of how nations can come together in times of crisis to uphold safety and humanity at sea.