China Expresses Gratitude to Indian Navy for Heroic Rescue of Crew from Flaming Vessel

Image Credits: Indian Coast Guard/X
A recent publication by FirstPost highlights China’s appreciation for India’s efforts in rescuing 14 of its citizens following a fire and explosions aboard the MV Wan Hai 503,a cargo ship registered in Singapore. This incident unfolded off the coast of kerala on June 9, 2025.

The Chinese Embassy in India,represented by spokesperson Yu Jing,took to social media to express gratitude towards the Indian Navy and Mumbai Coast Guard for their “swift and professional rescue operations.” Out of the total crew of 22, there were 14 Chinese nationals onboard, including six from Taiwan. The embassy also expressed hopes for locating four missing crew members and wished a speedy recovery for those injured.

The cargo ship was traveling from Colombo to Nhava Sheva near Mumbai when an explosion occurred within one of its containers, igniting a significant fire. This alarming event took place about 44 nautical miles off Azhikkal and was later reported as being approximately 78 nautical miles from Beypore in Kerala.

Around 9:30 AM that day, distress signals prompted immediate action from both the Indian Coast Guard and Navy to initiate a coordinated rescue operation alongside firefighting efforts.

On June 9th, after an explosion led to flames engulfing MV wan hai 503 just off Azhikkal’s coast—where it was carrying mixed nationalities among its crew—the response teams swung into action. Yu Jing tweeted thanks to @indiannavy and Mumbai Coast Guard for their rapid response…

The Navy redirected INS Surat while deploying Dornier aircraft for aerial surveillance.The Coast Guard mobilized five vessels—Sachet, Arnvesh, Samudra Prahari, Abhinav—and additional aircraft like C144 patrol planes.

In totality, rescuers managed to save eighteen crew members; however four individuals remain unaccounted for—two taiwanese nationals along with one each from Indonesia and Myanmar. Those injured were transported via INS Surat to Mangalore Port before being taken to AJ Hospital in Kuntikana for medical care.

As firefighters continued battling flames on the substantial vessel measuring over270 meters long—a situation intricate by water accumulation causing it to list—the authorities worked diligently against time. They began pumping out water as more containers fell into the sea during this chaotic episode.

Concerns arose regarding potential hazardous materials aboard due to repeated explosions; thus INCOIS activated its SARAT tool aimed at monitoring drifting debris alongside tracking missing personnel or possible oil spills expected along coastal areas until June13th. Enhanced shoreline surveillance measures have been implemented as well.

This incident marks yet another maritime crisis near kerala recently; just weeks prior on May24th,the Liberian-flagged MSC ELSA-3 sank offshore leadingto successful rescuesof24crew members amidst pollution concerns stemmingfrom leaked oiland chemicalsinto surrounding waters.Commodore R.S.Vasan (Retd.) commented that China’s emphasis on counting Taiwanese individuals among chinese nationals seemed politically motivated but emphasized that India’s focus remained solely on humanitarian aid rather than nationality disputes or political agendas.

Both the Indian NavyandCoastGuard received widespread acclaimfor their prompt actions during this maritime emergency.