New Delhi

The Indian Navy has successfully carried out a high-risk operation to recover an unexploded missile warhead from a foreign-flagged crude oil tanker sailing near the Kerala coast, the Defence Ministry said on Thursday.

The vessel, MT Olympic Life, registered under the Marshall Islands flag, was travelling from Fujairah in the UAE to Kochi when it reported damage to its hull following an explosion off the coast of Oman on May 26. No Indian nationals were among the crew members on board.

According to the ministry, the tanker later informed authorities that an unexploded ordnance had been detected on the vessel while it continued its voyage towards Kochi.

Following an alert received through the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), the Indian Navy launched a coordinated response. A specialised Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team from the Southern Naval Command in Kochi was deployed to inspect the vessel and assess the threat.

During the inspection, the team found that a projectile had pierced the ship’s hull, passed through several internal sections and eventually become lodged inside a fuel tank.

Given the significant danger posed by the unexploded missile warhead within a fuel storage compartment, naval experts adopted a carefully planned, multi-stage approach to ensure the safety of the crew, the vessel and nearby port facilities.

After implementing all required safety measures, the EOD team used advanced diagnostic techniques to identify and neutralise the warhead’s detonation system before safely extracting the missile component along with related debris.

The recovered ordnance has since been transported to a secure location for storage and detailed examination.

The Defence Ministry said the operation demonstrated the Navy’s expertise in handling complex explosive ordnance disposal missions and highlighted its ability to coordinate effectively during challenging maritime emergencies.

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The ministry added that the prompt assistance provided to the vessel, irrespective of its nationality or ownership, reflects the Indian Navy’s commitment to maritime safety and its role as a dependable security partner in the Indian Ocean region.