On June 9, 2025, a fire and explosion broke out aboard the MV Wan Hai 503, a Singapore-flagged container ship, approximately 80 nautical miles off the coast of Kerala, India. The vessel was traveling from Colombo to Mumbai when a container reportedly exploded, triggering a fire that quickly spread. The ship was carrying over 1,000 containers, including 157 with hazardous materials.
Out of 22 crew members, 18 were rescued—one with serious injuries—while four remain missing. The Indian Navy and nearby ships assisted in firefighting and rescue operations. About 40 containers fell into the sea, raising environmental concerns. The ship remains adrift and continues to burn as authorities investigate the cause and assess ongoing risks.
