English
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) launched a fire-fighting operation off the southwest coast of Goa after a major fire erupted aboard a cargo container ship which is reportedly carrying International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) cargo and explosives.
According to an official statement, a fire broke out on the container cargo merchant vessel, about 102 nautical miles southwest of Goa, on late Friday evening.
Upon receiving information about the incident, the Indian Coast Guard immediately deployed an ICG ship towards the distressed vessel with maximum speed, officials said, adding that ICG Dornier Aircraft & Ships Sachet, Sujeet and Samrat, have been pressed into action.
The ICG Dornier aircraft has been deployed for aerial assessment of the distressed vessel, they said.
“The merchant ship is reported to be carrying International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) cargo and explosions have been occurring on front part of the vessel. An ICG ship has arrived in area and is carrying out fire-fighting operation despite rough sea and inclement weather conditions,” a statement from the coast guard stated.
@IndiaCoastGuard MRCC #Mumbai received distress call on 19 Jul 24 from container carrier MV Maersk Frankfurt 50 NM off #Karwar regarding major #fire onboard. #ICG #Dornier & Ships Sachet, Sujeet and Samrat pressed into action. #ALH and additional aircraft being mobilized to… pic.twitter.com/b6JKlY2f75
— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) July 19, 2024
It said the crew of the merchant vessel was panicked due to the blaze, but have been reassured of their safety by ICG, adding that two more ICG ships have been sailed with dispatch from Goa to augment firefighting efforts.
“The ICG is carrying out a fire-fighting operation to avert an ecological disaster and ensure safety of the vessel as well as the crew,” the statement said.
More details are awaited.
