Drone Strike Causes Explosion on Merchant Ship in Arabian Sea; Indian Coast Guard Responds

In a concerning incident, a merchant ship, MV Chem Pluto, in the Arabian Sea faced an explosion and fire following a drone strike on Saturday. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported among the crew, which includes 20 Indians. The vessel, carrying crude oil from Saudi Arabia to Mangaluru, is currently 217 nautical miles off the Porbandar coast.

The Indian Coast Guard swiftly responded to the distress call, dispatching the ICGS Vikram towards the affected merchant ship. The Coast Guard vessel, patrolling the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone, is on its way to assist MV Chem Pluto. It has also issued alerts to nearby ships, urging them to provide aid as needed.

Defence officials have confirmed that the fire on the vessel has been extinguished, but it has impacted the ship’s functionality. Despite the challenges, all crew members are reported to be safe.

This incident follows closely after the Indian Navy’s recent involvement in the evacuation of an injured sailor from the hijacked Malta-flagged cargo vessel, MV Ruen. The vessel had been boarded by six individuals described as “pirates” in the Arabian Sea, highlighting the heightened security concerns in the region. The Indian authorities continue to monitor and respond to maritime incidents to ensure the safety and security of seafarers in the Arabian Sea.

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