Thiruvananthapuram, 10 June(HS): The massive fire that engulfed the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel MV Wan Hai 503 on Monday morning continues unabated even as two mariners who suffered 40 per cent burns were admitted to a private hospital in Mangalore.

The second mishap involving vessels in as many weeks has shocked security and intelligence experts in the region. However, they are reluctant to air their views considering the seriousness of the situation.

The Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Naval Ships are continuing their salvage operations on a round-the-clock basis. According to the cargo manifest, which was released by the Coast Guard after being collected from the crew of the ill-fated ship, the vessel has more than 2,000 tons of fuel onboard and 1,754 containers.

Out of this, 671 containers are on the deck and many have fallen into the sea. What is causing concern among the rescue team is that these containers carry highly inflammable and toxic materials which has made it impossible for the Coast Guard and Indian Navy to reach anywhere near the ship, the pictures of which resemble that of an inferno.

Unconfirmed reports say that more than 40 per cent of the vessel has gone underneath the sea.

Meanwhile, sources in Indian Navy’s Kochi Command said that the chances of the containers flowing towards the southern coast of Kerala are high and this is likely to see major environmental pollution along the shores of the southern coast.

Hindusthan Samachar / Manohar Yadavatti