New Delhi: A merchant ship in the Arabian Sea experienced an explosion and fire following a drone strike on Saturday, with no reported casualties. The vessel in question, MV Chem Pluto, has a crew of 20 Indians, and an Indian Coast Guard vessel is en route to assist. The incident occurred 217 nautical miles off the Porbandar coast, according to news agency ANI. Coast Guard officials have reported that a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft has established communication with the distressed vessel.
MV Chem Pluto, loaded with crude oil, was en route from a Saudi Arabian port to Mangaluru. Defence officials have directed the Coast Guard ship, ICGS Vikram, patrolling the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone, to proceed to the troubled merchant ship. The Coast Guard vessel has issued alerts to all ships in the vicinity to provide assistance. Fortunately, all crew members are confirmed to be safe.