Alert Issued in Kerala as Ship with Hazardous Cargo Capsizes

A Liberian-flagged cargo ship carrying oil and hazardous materials capsized near Kochi, triggering emergency measures and environmental alerts as officials work to contain harmful leaks threatening marine life and local residents.

Authorities in Kerala, India, are on high alert following the capsizing of a cargo ship carrying hazardous materials off the coast near Kochi. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, involved the Liberian-flagged MSC ELSA 3, which began to tilt dangerously approximately 38 nautical miles from the shore due to flooding in one of its compartments.

All 24 crew members were successfully rescued during an extensive operation conducted by the Indian Navy. However, the ship’s cargo, which includes 13 containers of hazardous materials and significant quantities of diesel and furnace oil, has begun to leak into the Arabian Sea, raising serious concerns regarding environmental impacts.

Officials have issued alerts across the coastal region, renowned for its biodiversity and a popular tourist destination, as some of the ship's 640 containers are reportedly drifting towards the shore. The Kerala chief minister's office has advised local residents to avoid any contact with the oil slick or the containers that may wash ashore. Fishermen have also been warned to steer clear of the area surrounding the sunken vessel.

In response to the environmental threat, the Indian Coast Guard has deployed pollution control measures, including a specialized ship equipped for oil spill cleanup and an aircraft with oil detection technology to assess the situation. Authorities are intensifying efforts to contain the pollutant spread, recognizing the potential dangers not only to local health but to marine ecosystems as well.