Deadly Explosion Onboard Bulk Carrier Off Goa Injures 3 & Kills 1 (Chinese) Crew Member

Deadly Explosion Onboard Bulk Carrier Off Goa Injures 3 & Kills 1 Crew Member
MI News Network March 22, 2025 https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/deadly-explosion-onboard-bul...

The Indian Navy and Coast Guard conducted a successful rescue operation, saving 3 crew members from a ship that had suffered a massive explosion.

However, the fourth crew, a Chinese national, who was the Second Engineer onboard the Panama-flagged bulk carrier, MV Heilan Star died before help could arrive.

Per a naval spokesperson, the rescue operation on the vessel situated 230 nautical miles west of Goa was conducted on Friday morning.

The DG Shipping Office was told that 4 crew members of a ship sailing from Saudi Arabia to Singapore needed help as they suffered from serious burn injuries following a blast on their vessel and needed immediate medical attention.

Once the Navy was made aware of the situation by the Indian Coast Guard’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, it sprung into action and without delay, diverted two ships, Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant and Fleet Tanker INS Deepak from their deployments, and sent them to help.

A Seeking helicopter from INS Vikrant carried out a difficult winching operation to evacuate 3 injured crew members, including 2 Chinese nationals, DU Minghao and Yang Xiuren and an Indonesian National, Apriadi Daniel Lobo.

The fourth crew member, a 40-year old Liu Huan succumbed to his injuries and died before being rescued.

All of them were taken to INS Hansa in Goa from where they were referred to a civil hospital for further medical attention.

They were taken to Goa Medical College in Bambolim.

Per reports, the damaged ship is now going to Mormugao Port, after the direction of the Coast Guard.

The vessel’s management and Marine Mercantile Department officials in Goa will conduct an investigation into the cause of the explosion.

This rescue operation shows the Indian Navy’s and Coast Guard’s commitment to saving lives and their rapid response to the situation, even amidst difficult circumstances.

References: Pib.gov