Vessel on fire off Colombo, India rushes 2 ships

Sri Lankan Naval spokesman Chaminda Walakuluge said the Navy responded to a distress call by a local agent of the container vessel, which was travelling from Singapore to Egypt. 

Sri Lankan Navy dispatched two Fast Attack Craft (FAC) P 436 and P 412 to the location assisting Sri Lankan Port Authority tugs, Rawana and Maha Wewa to douse the fire, Walakuluge said. A Sri Lankan Air Force helicopter has also been deployed to douse the flame. “There are no casualties among the 22-member crew,” Walakuluge said. 

Meanwhile, the Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Shoor’ which was on overseas deployment at Colombo joined the firefighting effort. “The vessel was carrying dangerous cargo and hence utmost caution was exercised to ensure safety of the crew and the vessel,” a Coast Guard release said. 

Meanwhile, the Indian Navy also dispatched two of its ships -- INS Ghariyal and INS Darshak -- to help douse the fire. The vessel is presently anchored 11 nautical miles off the Colombo coast. The cause of the fire was not known yet.