One crew member is reportedly missing after the container ship MSC MESSINA suffered a fire in its engine room while underway in the Indian ocean in the afternoon of 24 June.
According to local media reports, the ship was en route from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to Singapore, when the incident occurred. A few hours later, the ship was disabled and remained adrift.
The Indian Coast Guard deployed both ships and an aircraft to the scene. AIS data as of 28 June show the ship was under tow heading to Malacca Strait.
Latest updates say more than one crew members have lost their lives but this is yet to be confirmed. The majority of the 28 crew members onboard are Ukrainian.
#SAR Container ship #MSCMessina with 28 crew about 425nm from #PortBlair reported fire in engine room AM 25 Jun & one crew missing. Vessel enroute from #Colombo to #Singapore. MRCC P'Blair coordinating assistance through #MSCDeila in vicinity. #ICG Ship & aircraft being deployed. pic.twitter.com/Bq7KNvKtR1
— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) June 25, 2021
