Blazing Tankers Near Singapore Trigger Major Rescue Operation

Two oil tankers caught fire near Singapore, leading to a major rescue operation. The Singapore Navy evacuated crew members and provided medical assistance. The cause of the fires remains unclear. Malaysia's maritime agency has launched a search and rescue mission, and environmental preparations are underway for potential oil spills.

Two large oil tankers were ablaze on Friday in waters near Singapore, the world's biggest refuelling port, affecting multiple crew members who were airlifted to hospitals while others were rescued from liferafts, according to authorities.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) reported the incident at 6:15 a.m. (2215 GMT), involving a Singapore-flagged tanker, Hafnia Nile, and a Sao Tome and Principe-flagged tanker, Ceres I. These vessels were approximately 55 km (34 miles) northeast of Singaporean island Pedra Branca.

A helicopter evacuated two crew members to Singapore General Hospital, MPA disclosed, adding that the Singapore Navy frigate RSS Supreme facilitated crew rescues and provided medical aid. Thick black smoke and crew evacuations were captured in photographs shared by the Navy. The fire's cause remains unidentified.

Malaysia's maritime enforcement agency issued a statement about initiating search and rescue operations for the tankers, with its environment department notified to prepare for oil spill contingencies.

The Panamax tanker Hafnia Nile, carrying around 300,000 barrels of naphtha, and VLCC Ceres I, previously identified for transporting Iranian and Venezuelan oil, are under scrutiny as Singapore, a key oil trading and bunkering hub, manages the aftermath.