Indian crew member rescued from blazing ship tests positive for COVID-19

COLOMBO (News 1st); An Indian crew member from the MV X-Press Pearl that is in flames in the seas off the Colombo Harbour has tested positive for COVID-19.

On Tuesday (25) two Indian crew members aboard the ship were admitted to the hospital with injuries following an explosion on board.

The distressed container ship was manned by a crew of 25, who are Philippine, Chinese, Indian, and Russian nationals,

The vessel which is registered under the flag of Singapore carried 1486 containers with 25 tonnes of Nitric Acid, several other chemicals, and cosmetics; it had departed from the port of Hazira on India on 15th May 2021.