4 crew members unaccounted for after fire on Singapore-registered vessel off Indian coast

SINGAPORE, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Four crew members remained unaccounted for on Monday after a fire broke out onboard a Singapore-registered container vessel off the Indian coast, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said in a press release.

The fire occurred at around 12:30 p.m. Singapore time (0430 GMT) on Monday, approximately 80 km southwest of Azhikkal, Kerala, India.

According to the MPA, the remaining 18 crew members have been accounted for and are being transferred from lifeboats to a passing vessel. Some injuries have been reported among them.

Indian authorities have been alerted. The Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy are assisting the crew and conducting search and rescue operations for the four missing individuals.

The MPA said it is in close contact with the vessel's management company to provide support and is closely monitoring the situation. The authority will be investigating the incident.