Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Jul 26: The coastal districts have been issued a high alert after a container ship carrying International Maritime dangerous goods category 4 caught fire off the coast of Karnataka.

The ship, traveling from Mundra port in Gujarat to Colombo in Sri Lanka, caught fire in the Arabian Sea and is now stationed 33 nautical miles off the Surathkal coast, sources said.

The Indian Coast Guard has extinguished the fire and is currently monitoring the situation. The ship is carrying flammable solids and a few quantities of liquids. There are concerns that if the fire reignites, the goods could pose a hazard to the coast and the sea.

Udupi deputy commissioner Dr Vidyakumari has issued orders to the Coast Guard, CRZ officials, the environment department, and the ports authority to take necessary precautions and manage the situation in case of a substance outbreak.

The Indian Coast Guard continues to monitor the situation and is working towards ensuring the safe passage of the container ship, sources added.