On June 10, 2025, the Indian Naval Ship INS Surat docked at New Mangalore Port late Monday night, carrying 18 crew members rescued from the blazing Singapore‑flagged container ship MV Wan Hai 503 . The vessel had caught fire after a powerful container explosion occurred on June 9, approximately 78 nm off Kerala’s Beypore coast, prompting a swift response involving the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and merchant vessels.

Among the rescued, six were injured; two severely burned and flown directly to AJ Hospital, Kuntikana, while the remaining four sustained minor injuries and 12 came ashore unscathed . INS Surat’s onboard medical team stabilized the critical cases before disembarkation . Local authorities, including port, immigration and police officials, coordinated a seamless evacuation and medical transfer .

The tragic incident left four crew members missing, triggering ongoing search operations in the Arabian Sea . As firefighting efforts continue at sea, port workers at Panambur recounted emotional scenes as rescued sailors, some in stretchers, whispered prayers upon arrival