India rushes ships to douse fire on vessel off Colombo coast

Colombo: The Sri Lankan Navy with assistance from India are battling a major fire on board a huge Panama-registered container carrier off the coast of Colombo.

The fire broke out last night on the merchant ship MV MSC-Daniela when the 14,000-container carrier was about 120 nautical miles away from Sri Lanka.

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

Sri Lanka 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.

Indian Coast Guard Ship 'Shoor' which was on overseas deployment at Colombo also joined the firefighting effort.

"Information was received from High Commission of India, Colombo regarding a request received from the Sri Lankan Navy to render assistance to extinguish the fire on board MV MSC Daniella," the Coast Guard said in a statement.

"The vessel was carrying dangerous cargo and hence utmost caution was exercised in firefighting to ensure the safety of the crew and the vessel," it 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 coast of Colombo.

The cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained.