Submersion of cargo ship off Kochi: Kerala chief minister convenes emergency meeting

Time of India

26-05-2025

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T'puram: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan convened an emergency high-level meeting on Monday to review the evolving situation following the complete submersion of Liberian cargo ship MSC ELSA 3 off the Kerala coast.
A detailed statement issued by the CM's office outlined a series of urgent directions aimed at safeguarding the coastal population, averting an environmental crisis and coordinating response mechanisms involving state and national agencies.
According to the statement, the ship sank 14.6 nautical miles off the Thottappally spillway, and although all crew members were safely rescued, the cargo and fuel on board posed significant risks.
The vessel was carrying 643 containers, of which 73 were empty. Critically, 13 containers held hazardous materials, including Calcium Carbide — a chemical that can ignite or cause severe burns upon contact with water.
Fuel from the ship also leaked into the sea, heightening concerns about environmental damage.
As of Monday evening, 31 containers already drifted ashore — 29 in Kollam and two in Alappuzha.
The Coast Guard mobilized two ships to contain the oil spill while a Dornier aircraft dispersed chemical powder to neutralise the leaked fuel.
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As the disaster falls under the Tier-2 "incident" category, the response is being coordinated using national-level forces and resources. The operation is overseen by the director general of the Coast Guard, who also chairs the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan.
The CM issued several directives to ensure public safety and environmental protection. Residents along the coast and members of the fishing community have been advised to remain highly vigilant.
People are instructed not to approach or touch any unusual objects or containers found on the shore, to keep at least 200 metres away, and to immediately report any sightings to the emergency helpline 112. Fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea, both due to prevailing weather conditions and the threat posed by floating or submerged debris.
Specifically, fishing is banned within a 20 nautical mile radius of the shipwreck site.
To safely manage and remove containers that may wash ashore, the factories and boilers department has been directed to form rapid response teams (RRTs). Two RRTs each will be deployed in southern districts starting from Thrissur and one in each northern district. These teams will be equipped with JCBs and cranes for container handling. Simultaneously, the pollution control board has been tasked with forming a similar network of RRTs — two per southern district and one per northern district — to deal with oil slicks that reach the coast.
District disaster management authorities, the police and other relevant departments will support these operations. Noting the possibility of fuel settling on the seabed, the chief minister directed the Coast Guard, Navy, forest department and factories and boilers department to prepare a dedicated action plan to address underwater contamination. Additionally, the Coast Guard, port department and Navy have been asked to arrange for additional equipment such as booms and skimmers to contain and clean up the oil spill more effectively.
The statement said clear instructions were issued to all coastal districts and line departments for managing floating containers, oil slicks and any sunken fuel that may drift ashore or settle underwater. The state govt reaffirmed its priority to ensure public safety, protect the environment and safeguard the livelihoods of those dependent on the marine economy.
Vijayan urged people not to panic, assuring that all possible actions were being taken with proper coordination among various departments and national agencies.