Merchant vessel SSL Kolkata catches fire, rescue ops underway
KOLKATA : The Indian Coast Guard has launched a massive rescue operation after a devastating fire broke out at the merchant vessel SSL Kolkata on Wednesday night.
According to ANI, 11 out of 22 crew members onboard the merchant vessel have been rescued so far.Efforts are on in full swing to rescue other crew members onboard the vessel.
Meanwhile, Coast Guard ship ‘Rajkiran’ from Haldia and ‘Coast Dornier’ have also arrived in the area to help in the rescue operation.However, it is still unknown as to what caused the fire on the merchant vessel.
Earlier this year, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) had evacuated 26 crew members of an oil tanker after a major fire broke out on it, off the coast of Kandla.The MT Genessa oil tanker, which was anchored about 15 nautical miles off Deendayal Port in Kandla, was reportedly carrying at least 30,000 tonnes of high-speed Diesel.Two members sustained burn injuries due to the incident.
The ICG used tugs and rigs to fight out the blaze by pooling resources from Reliance, Adani, and Essar companies. Also, they sent their boats to help in assisting rescue operations.
