After China, Taiwan Thanks India For Swift Rescue Of Crew Members Of Fire-Hit Container Ship Off Kerala Coast

The Indian Navy and Coast Guard have been lauded by Taiwan and China for their speedy and professional response in rescuing the crew of the Singapore-flagged container ship MV Wan Hai 503, which caught fire after an onboard explosion 44 nautical miles off Kerala’s Azhikkal coast on 9 June, Hindustan Times reported.

In a post on X, the Taiwan Government said, “The Taiwan Government is grateful for the swift rescue operation provided by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard to Wan Hai 503. We wish the missing crew members return safe and the injured recover soon.”

This comes after Chinese Embassy spokesperson Yu Jing on Tuesday (11 June) also expressed gratitude, stating, “Our gratitude goes to the Indian Navy @indiannavy and the Mumbai Coast Guard for their prompt and professional rescue.”

The vessel was en route from Colombo to Nhava Sheva when it suffered an explosion below deck.

Of the 22 crew members on board, eight were Chinese nationals and six from Taiwan, along with five Myanmarese and three Indonesians.

After the fire escalated, the crew abandoned the ship.

The Indian Navy rescued 18 crew members, while four remain missing.

Five crew members were injured in the incident.

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