Drone Hits Ship Near Gujarat Coast With 20 Indians Aboard, Causes Fire

Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS Vikram reached to merchant vessel in distress.

Image credit: ANI

New Delhi: A drone hit an Israel-linked merchant vessel MV Chem Pluto causing an explosion and fire within the vessel in the Arabian Sea off India's coast. The distressed vessel had around 20 Indian crew members who were reportedly safe, according ANI news agency.

Responding promptly, the Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS Vikram, on patrol in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone, headed towards the distressed merchant vessel MV Chem Pluto.

According to defence officials, the vessel has crude oil and was going towards Mangalore from a port in Saudi Arabia. The fire has been reportedly extinguished but has affected the vessel's functioning, reported ANI.

#WATCH | Visuals of the MV Chem Pluto taken by the Indian Coast Guard’s Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft in the Arabian Sea after it was hit by a suspected drone which led to fire on it. https://t.co/6Zsmz39JQu pic.twitter.com/zdP4TjI8Cn — ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2023

Indian Coast Guard authorities reported that the distressed vessel MV Chem Pluto has established communication with the ICG Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft. Following a drone attack, the ship disabled its Automatic Identification System used for tracking. The ship's power generation system is now operational, with further checks underway before it resumes its journey to the destination.

As per the latest reports, ICGS Vikram will escort the MV Chem Pluto and the vessel is expected to reach Mumbai by early December 25.