A Maersk container ship with 27 crew members on board, including 13 Indians, caught fire in the Arabian Sea near Agatti in the Lakshadweep islands on Tuesday night. Four members of the crew, including one Indian, were reported missing even as efforts were on to put out the massive blaze.
The Maersk Honam, being captained by an Indian national, reported a serious fire in one of its cargo holds while en route from Singapore towards the Suez. The incident was reported when the vessel, carrying 7,860 containers, was positioned around 900 nautical miles southeast of Salalah, Oman. After being unsuccessful in their fire-fighting efforts, the crew sent out a distress signal and a total of 23 crew members were safely evacuated to the nearby vessel ALS Ceres, which arrived at the scene.
“Regrettably, four crew members remain missing. The fire on board the Maersk Honam continues and the situation of the vessel is very critical,” a Maersk spokesperson said in a statement. Following the distress call, container vessels MSC Lauren, Edith Mærsk and Gerd Mærsk, all en route in the Arabian Sea, diverted their routes to approach the area.
The Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy also acted promptly on receiving the distress call.
