A major fire broke out on the cargo vessel MV Maersk Frankfurt in the Arabian Sea on Friday, prompting a significant rescue operation by the Indian Coast Guard. The vessel, which was in route from Gujarat, India, to Colombo, Sri Lanka, reported explosions on its front deck about 6.5 nautical miles (12 kilometers) south of Karwar.
Three Indian Coast Guard ships—Sujeet, Sachet, and Samrat—have been engaged in battling the blaze for over 12 hours. Their efforts have been crucial in preventing the fire from spreading further. The Coast Guard has been actively updating the public through images and videos posted on X.
No casualties have been reported from the merchant vessel. In addition to the ships, a Donier aircraft have been conducting aerial assessments, and another plane is on standby for search and rescue operations. Another ship from Mumbai is expected to join the rescue efforts by Sunday.
The MV Maersk Frankfurt was reportedly carrying International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) cargo, adding complexity to the firefighting operation. The operation has been further challenged by rough seas and inclement weather.
Earlier this week, the Indian Navy conducted a rescue operation off the coast of Oman, saving nine crew members and recovering one body from the capsized Comorian-flagged MV Prestige Falcon oil tanker.