Four crew members remain missing after a cargo ship caught fire off the coast of India.

The container vessel, MV Wan Hai 503, was located approximately 21 Nautical Miles west of the Beypore-Azhikkal port in north Kerala when the blaze broke out on Monday morning, June 9.

Authorities said the 886ft (270m) vessel had departed from Colombo and was en route to Mumbai, carrying 650 containers and 22 crew members. It was scheduled to arrive on Tuesday.

Local media reported that 18 crew members jumped into the sea, with several sustaining burn injuries.

The Indian Coast Guard said in a statement: 'The vessel is still emitting dense smoke, raising fears of secondary explosions. Eighteen crew members have been rescued, and four remain missing.'

Search operations are ongoing to locate the missing crew members and ensure their safety.

Footage shows the ship engulfed in flames, with a massive plume of smoke billowing into the sky.

Authorities confirmed the situation remains critical, and environmental protection measures have already been initiated.

The Indian Coast Guard deployed three interceptor boats from Kochi, along with additional response teams from Beypore. The Indian Navy also dispatched Dornier surveillance aircraft to assist in the emergency response.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan directed district authorities in Ernakulam and Kozhikode to arrange medical care for the affected crew once they are brought ashore.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.