Image Credits - PTI
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) continues its intense firefighting and salvage operations aboard the MV Maersk Frankfurt, a merchant vessel engulfed in a severe blaze off the coast of Mumbai. As of today, the situation remains critical, with intermittent fires and thick smoke continuing to billow from the vessel.
The fire on the MV Maersk Frankfurt began on July 21, 2024, and has since posed a significant challenge for the emergency response teams. A specialized four-member salvage team, which includes chemical experts, was successfully embarked on the vessel earlier this morning. The team’s mission is to assess the damage, manage the fire, and work towards stabilizing the situation.
Three Indian Coast Guard ships—ICG Varuna, ICG Sankalp, and ICG Samudra—are actively engaged in the firefighting operations. In addition, ICG ALH (Advanced Light Helicopters) equipped with firefighting capabilities have been deployed to support the efforts from the air. Despite their best efforts, the fire has proven difficult to fully extinguish, with intermittent flare-ups causing ongoing concerns.
Thick smoke continues to emanate from the seat of the fire on the merchant vessel, complicating both the firefighting efforts and the salvage operations. The ICG’s combined efforts have managed to suppress the flames to some extent, but the situation remains volatile as the crew and experts work to control the fire and prevent further escalation.
The Indian Coast Guard has also been monitoring the surrounding waters for any potential environmental impact and ensuring that no harmful substances are leaking into the sea.
An official statement from the Indian Coast Guard indicated that the response operations are focused on containing the fire and safeguarding maritime safety.