A Liberian-flagged container ship, MSC Elsa 3, sank off the coast of Kerala after tilting heavily and losing multiple containers into the sea. The incident has raised significant environmental concerns due to hazardous cargo and fuel onboard.
Out of the 24 crew members, 21—comprising 20 Filipinos, one Russian, two Ukrainians, and one Georgian—were rescued earlier. The remaining three crew members, including the Captain, Chief Engineer, and Second Engineer, were successfully rescued on Sunday morning by the Indian Navy ship INS Sujata under challenging conditions. They had remained onboard following company instructions to assist with the vessel’s salvage operation.
The 184-meter vessel was en route from Vizhinjam Port to Kochi when it began tilting by 26 degrees. The ship’s operator informed Indian authorities and requested immediate assistance. Despite efforts to stabilize the vessel, water ingress caused it to sink.
Inspector General Bhisham Sharma of the Indian Coast Guard confirmed that containers are now adrift at sea, posing navigational hazards to other vessels and the coastal environment. Some of these containers may come ashore. Notably, 13 containers were carrying hazardous cargo, including 12 containing calcium carbide, and the vessel had 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel onboard.
The Indian Coast Guard has mobilized pollution response units and is working closely with the Kerala state authorities. Aircraft equipped with advanced oil spill detection technology are monitoring the area. As of now, no oil spill has been reported.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has issued a public advisory, warning residents not to approach or touch any cargo or oil residues that may wash ashore. People are urged to report such sightings to local authorities immediately.
The Coast Guard and Navy remain on alert, and a support vessel from the ship’s operator has arrived to assess salvage possibilities and monitor pollution risks.
