INS Trikand’s Swift Action Averts Disaster: Indian Navy Rescues Crew From MT Falcon Fire

The incident took place last week on October 18, 2025. Image courtesy: X.com/@indiannavy
Indian Navy’s Talwar-class frigate INS Trikand carried out a rescue and firefighting operation after a huge fire broke out on board the Cameroon-flagged LPG carrier MV Falcon off the coast of Djibouti in the Gulf of Eden. The frigate, deployed in the Gulf of Aden for maritime security work, responded quickly to a distress call from the vessel.
The crew of INS Trikand worked with a civilian tugboat hired by the shipping company to put out the blaze. Before the naval ship arrived, 24 of the 26 crew members had already escaped the burning tanker and were rescued by nearby merchant vessels.
“The ship undertook firefighting operation in close coordination with Civil Tug hired by Shipping Company and successfully brought the fire under control,” the Indian Navy posted on X.
INS Trikand rescue mission: How deadly was the situation?
The MV Falcon had 26 crew members, 25 Indians and one British national. According to the Navy, a team of trained firefighters and medical staff from INS Trikand boarded the badly damaged ship after reaching the location. They faced extreme heat, poisonous smoke, and structural damage as they recovered the bodies of the two missing crew members.
The remains were later handed over to the Indian Embassy in Djibouti. The incident took place last week on October 18, 2025, when the MV Falcon suffered an explosion about 113 nautical miles southeast of Aden, Yemen. The ship was travelling from Sohar Port in Oman to Djibouti.
The explosion set about 15% of the vessel on fire, forcing the crew to abandon it as it drifted in the open sea. According to British maritime security company Ambrey, early findings suggest the explosion was accidental, though investigations are still going on. Radio messages from the ship showed that the crew had tried hard to contain the fire before abandoning the vessel.
The ship was carrying liquefied petroleum gas, an inflammable one, raising fears of further blasts. The European Union’s naval force, Operation Aspides, earlier warned other ships to keep clear because of the danger posed by the burning tanker. Post the explosion, Op Aspides immediately began search and rescue efforts.
During the search ops, 23 Indian sailors were found and rescued from the water. The search for the missing men continued until INS Trikand arrived and completed the recovery operation.
Why is this rescue mission significant?
The Gulf of Aden is an important route for international shipping but often faces threats from piracy and maritime incidents. The Indian Navy’s active presence and preparedness are therefore essential for protecting commercial ships and maintaining global maritime safety standards.
This mission shows the Indian Navy’s firm dedication to saving lives and keeping international waters safe. The swift reaction of INS Trikand reflects the Navy’s skill, courage, and compassion in tough situations.