Indian Navy recovers unexploded missile warhead from oil tanker off Kochi coast
KOCHI, June 11 — The Indian Navy has successfully executed a highly complex and risky operation to recover an unexploded missile warhead from a crude oil tanker, the MT Olympic Life, off the coast of Kochi.
The Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, which had no Indian nationals on board, was traveling from Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates to Kochi when it experienced an explosion in its hull while sailing off the coast of Oman on May 26, 2026.
Despite the damage and the presence of unexploded ordnance, the vessel continued its transit toward its destination in India.Upon receiving the alert through the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region, the Indian Navy initiated a coordinated emergency response.
The Southern Naval Command, based in Kochi, deployed a specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal team to conduct a detailed assessment of the ship. The specialized team confirmed that a projectile had penetrated the outer hull of the tanker, traveled through multiple structural compartments, and ultimately became lodged inside one of the fuel tanks.
Recognizing the extreme dangers of having an unexploded missile warhead inside a highly flammable fuel storage area, the disposal team utilized a careful, phased approach to safeguard the vessel, its crew, and the nearby port infrastructure.
Following strict safety protocols, the team used advanced diagnostic tools to locate and isolate the detonation mechanism before successfully extracting the warhead and its fragmented debris. The recovered weapon has since been moved to a secure naval facility for safe storage and a comprehensive forensic examination.
This meticulously planned and lengthy high-risk operation highlights the advanced technical expertise and proficiency of the Indian Navy in explosive ordnance disposal and maritime crisis management.
The swift intervention to assist the foreign-flagged MT Olympic Life reinforces the role of the Indian Navy as a dependable security partner and a responsible maritime force dedicated to ensuring global shipping safety in the region.