Photo by Elqiyar Rəhimov
Authorities in the southern Indian state of Kerala have issued a high alert following the sinking of a Liberian-flagged cargo vessel carrying oil and hazardous materials off the coast near Kochi in the Arabian Sea.
The vessel, identified as MSC ELSA 3, was en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi when it began tilting dangerously about 38 nautical miles from the shore. According to officials, the ship capsized in the early hours of Sunday due to flooding in one of its compartments.
All 24 crew members aboard were successfully rescued by the Indian Navy after a prolonged operation. However, concerns have mounted over the environmental fallout, as several of the ship’s 640 containers have drifted toward the coastline, triggering evacuations in vulnerable areas.
Kerala’s coastal stretch, known for its rich marine biodiversity and tourism, now faces the threat of pollution from leaked oil and chemicals. The vessel was carrying 13 containers of hazardous cargo, including 12 with calcium carbide—a substance that reacts with seawater to release flammable gas. Additionally, the ship had 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil onboard.
A statement from the Chief Minister’s Office warned that the leaked substances could pose serious risks to both marine life and public health. “As the oil slick can reach anywhere along the Kerala coast, an alert has been sounded across the coastal belt,” it said.
Residents living along the coast have been advised not to touch any containers or oil that may wash ashore. Fishermen have also been urged to avoid the affected waters near the sunken vessel.
In response to the crisis, the Indian Coast Guard has intensified pollution control efforts. A vessel equipped with specialized cleanup equipment has been deployed to the site, along with an aircraft outfitted with an oil spill detection system to monitor the situation from above.
Officials continue to assess the environmental impact and are working to contain the spread of the spill as recovery and containment operations are underway.
