PTC News Desk: A merchant ship suffered an explosion and fire after a drone attack in the Arabian Sea on Saturday. However, no casualties have been reported. The crew includes 20 Indians.
An Indian Coast Guard vessel is approaching the merchant vessel, MV Chem Pluto, which is 217 nautical miles off the coast of Porbandar.
The crude oil-laden vessel was travelling from a port in Saudi Arabia to Mangaluru. Officials from the Indian Coast Guard said the Coast Guard ship, ICGS Vikram, which was patrolling the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone, was directed to the merchant ship in distress. The Coast Guard vessel has requested assistance from all ships in the area.
According to reports, the fire was extinguished, but it had an impact on the ship's operation. Everyone on the crew is safe.