New Delhi, December 23: The Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard vessels are rushing to assist the merchant ship MV Chem Pluto, which caught fire in the Arabian Sea after a suspected drone attack. The incident occurred approximately 217 nautical miles off the Porbandar coast on Saturday, according to defense officials.
The Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS Vikram, assigned to patrol the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone, swiftly initiated its movement towards the distressed vessel. At the same time, Indian Navy warships in the vicinity are also heading towards MV Chem Pluto to provide assistance. All 20 Indian crew members on board have been confirmed safe.
Officials have revealed that the MV Chem Pluto was carrying crude oil from a port in Saudi Arabia and was bound for Mangalore. The fire has been reportedly extinguished, but it has caused damage to the vessel’s functionality. In light of the recent piracy incident, the Indian Navy has deployed an indigenous guided missile destroyer in the Gulf of Aden region.
Expressing relief amidst the alarming situation, defense officials emphasized that the safety of all crew members, including the 20 Indian nationals, has been ensured. ICGS Vikram has already issued an alert to all nearby ships to provide assistance. Further details regarding the incident are currently awaited.
The alarming incident involving the merchant ship MV Chem Pluto has caught the attention of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. Both forces have promptly responded, ensuring the safety and well-being of the crew members. As the situation unfolds, the collaboration among naval units in the Arabian Sea is set to mitigate the consequences of this suspected drone attack on the vessel.
