Mangaluru: After a massive explosion on the Singapore-flagged cargo ship MV Wan Hai 503, 18 crew members were rescued, with six admitted to AJ Hospital in Mangaluru on Tuesday for medical treatment.
Dr Dinesh Kadam, a plastic surgeon treating the injured, reported that two seafarers—a Chinese national with 40% burns and an Indonesian crew member—remain in ICU under close observation. While their vital signs are stable, extended critical care is still required. The other four crew members are out of danger, with one expected to be discharged soon. The rest are being treated for facial injuries and trauma resulting from the blast.
In a video update, Dr Kadam confirmed, “Though two patients need more ICU time, the remaining crew are stable. We are cautiously optimistic.”
Meanwhile, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) stepped up emergency operations. On Wednesday, five salvage crew members and a diver were winched aboard the burning vessel to help with towing procedures.
As per the Ministry of Defence, the ship—ablaze since June 9 off the Kerala coast—is drifting southeast about 42 nautical miles from Beypore within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone. The vessel is carrying over 1.2 lakh metric tons of fuel and numerous hazardous containers, posing a major environmental and navigational threat.
Despite reducing visible flames, intense fires persist in lower decks and near fuel tanks. Five ICG ships, two aircraft, a helicopter, and support from the Indian Air Force and Directorate General of Shipping are battling to avert a marine disaster.
Read Also: