Cargo Ship Fire Off Kerala: China Praises India’s Rescue Operations

The Chinese government has expressed its appreciation for India’s rescue operation after a fire broke out on the MV Wan Hai 503 off the coast of Kerala. An explosion occurred on board the ship, 44 nautical miles from Azhikkal, and was carrying containerized cargo. The Chinese Embassy in India issued a statement praising the Indian Navy and Mumbai Coast Guard for their swift response. Out of the 22 crew members, 14 were Chinese citizens, including six from Taiwan. Search and rescue efforts are underway by the Indian Coast Guard, including firefighting and boundary cooling operations, with several ships deployed to the scene. The vessel is listing, and some containers have fallen overboard.