Taiwan lauds Indian Navy and coast guard for swift rescue of Wan Hai 503 crew

The Taiwan Government has extended its profound gratitude to the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard for their swift and professional rescue operation involving the merchant vessel Wan Hai 503. This appreciation comes as Indian Coast Guard ships continue their relentless efforts to combat a persistent fire that engulfed the Singapore-flagged container ship off the Kerala coast. The incident, which began with an explosion under deck, injured several crew members and left four missing.

The MV Wan Hai 503, carrying containerized cargo, had a total of 22 crew members onboard, including eight Chinese, six Taiwanese, five Myanmarese, and three Indonesian nationals. Following the explosion and the rapid escalation of the fire, the crew was forced to abandon the ship. The Indian Navy promptly rescued 18 crew members, while the search for the remaining four missing individuals continues. As of Tuesday evening, visible flames on the vessel had reportedly reduced, though thick smoke continued to emanate from the ship.

In a post on social media, Taiwan in India expressed its appreciation, stating, "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 sentiment was echoed by the Chinese Embassy in India spokesperson Yu Jing, who also thanked the Indian Navy and the Mumbai Coast Guard for their "prompt and professional rescue" of Chinese and Taiwanese crew members.

Indian Coast Guard ships remain deployed for continuous firefighting and rescue operations, working to bring the inferno completely under control. The international recognition underscores the critical role played by Indian maritime forces in ensuring safety and providing humanitarian assistance in complex nautical emergencies.