Thu Jun 12 04:53:14 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text:

**Headline: Malabar Coast on Alert After Cargo Ship Fire Sparks Marine Hazard**

**Kozhikode, June 12, 2025 (The Hindu)** – Coastal authorities along the Malabar coast of Kerala are on high alert following a major fire aboard the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel, Wan Hai 503, which erupted approximately 88 nautical miles off the coast near Beypore on June 9th. The vessel, carrying 2,128 metric tons of fuel and hundreds of containers, including hazardous materials, poses a significant threat to the marine environment and shipping lanes.

The Coastal police and Marine Enforcement squads are conducting continuous patrols, instructing fishermen and coastal communities to be vigilant for adrift containers from the ship. Early reports indicate that 24 containers have already fallen into the sea.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), supported by the Indian Navy and Air Force, is working to extinguish the fire, which continues to burn in the ship’s inner decks, particularly near the fuel tank. On Thursday, navy personnel airdropped dry chemical powder on the burning cargo ship Wan Hai 503 to extinguish the fire. Efforts also include towing the vessel to a safer location to prevent a potential ecological disaster. Five ICG ships, two Dornier aircraft, and a helicopter are involved in the operation. A salvage team was also winched onto the vessel to aid in the towing process.

The Wan Hai 503 had departed Colombo on June 7th, bound for Mumbai, with 1,754 containers, 143 of which contained potentially hazardous chemicals. While rescue teams saved 18 crew members, four remain missing, and the ICG continues to search for them.

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