Coast Guard rescues 29 from burning oil tanker vessel

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, May 8: MS Orchid, an oil tanker, caught fire while sailing at a distance of 45 nautical miles from Kannur, Kerala late on the evening of Saturday.

The Coast Guard had dispatched two vessels from Mangalore and ICGS Varuna, a Coast Guard patrol vessel based in Kochi, to put off the flames and avoid a possible oil spill. The vessels reached the spot on the morning of Sunday. ICGS Varuna did a great job of rescuing 29 members of the crew on board and bringing the fire under control.

Fire broke out in the engine room of MS Orchid, and a distress call was immediate made to the Indian Coast Guard.