Thursday October 30, 2025
All 16 crew members abandoned the ship and were later rescued by another vessel and Somali coastal police. Maritime officials said the Fazle Rabbi was en route from Kismayo to Dubai when its engine room caught fire, completely destroying the vessel.
Mogadishu (HOL) — An Indian cargo vessel was destroyed by fire off Somalia’s southern coast after its engine room caught fire, forcing all 16 crew members to abandon ship, maritime authorities said Thursday.
A nearby vessel owned by the same company, Al Fazl (M.N.V. 2031), responded to the distress call and arrived at the scene within minutes. Somali coastal police assisted in rescuing all 16 crew members, who were later reported to be in good health.
The Fazle Rabbi was completely destroyed, and investigators suspect a mechanical malfunction in the engine caused the blaze. The ship’s owners have notified maritime authorities in both Dubai and Somalia to conduct a joint inquiry into the incident.
Maritime fires remain rare in Somali waters, but officials say the incident highlights persistent safety concerns along regional shipping routes connecting East Africa to the Arabian Peninsula.