Kerala on Alert After Ship With Hazardous Cargo Sinks Near Kochi
Authorities in Kerala have issued a coastal alert after a Liberian-flagged cargo ship carrying oil and hazardous materials capsized off the state’s coast near Kochi in the Arabian Sea.
The vessel, MSC ELSA 3, was en route from Vizhinjam port to Kochi when it began tilting dangerously and eventually sank early Sunday, triggering a major environmental concern. All 24 crew members were rescued in an hours-long operation led by the Indian Navy. However, several of the ship’s 640 containers have broken loose and are drifting toward the shore, prompting evacuations and warnings for residents and fishermen. The vessel was carrying 13 containers of hazardous cargo and 12 containers filled with calcium carbide — a chemical known to react with seawater and release flammable gases. In addition, the ship had 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil in its tanks, raising fears of a major oil spill. A statement from the Kerala Chief Minister’s Office warned that the oil slick could spread along the entire coastal belt. “An alert has been sounded across the coastal belt as the oil slick can reach anywhere along the Kerala coast,” the statement said.
Authorities have asked residents to stay away from any containers or oil residues that may wash ashore. Fishermen have also been urged to avoid venturing near the wreck site until further notice. The Indian Coast Guard has launched intensified pollution control measures to mitigate the spill. A ship equipped with pollution management tools has been deployed, and a surveillance aircraft fitted with oil spill detection systems is conducting aerial assessments of the area. The coastal waters off Kochi are not only a biodiversity hotspot but also a key tourist destination. Environmental experts have raised concerns that the spillage could cause irreversible damage to marine ecosystems and impact the livelihoods of local communities.
The situation remains under close watch, with state and central authorities coordinating efforts to contain the environmental fallout.
