Cargo ship sinks near Kerala coastline: Flammable gas & oil spill threat looms as containers wash ashore; What we know so far
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Oil spill threat and Hazardous cargo
Pollution response underway
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Public asked to stay alert
Amid tourist flow in Kerala, sensitive ecosystem at risk
The Kerala government has declared a statewide emergency after the MSC ELSA 3, a Liberian container ship carrying 640 containers, including 13 hazardous ones, capsized and sank off the state's coast, raising concerns about a potential ecological disaster.In response to the incident, a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary A Jayathilak resulted in the issuance of a statewide alert.Coastal districts have been warned of possible environmental consequences. Fishermen are advised to stay ashore, while the public is cautioned against touching or approaching any drifting containers or oil slicks that may appear on the beaches. The official directive states, 'Maintain a minimum distance of 200 metres and inform the emergency number 112.'Here's what happened and what we know so far:The sinking of the Liberian vessel MSC ELSA 3 occurred on May 25, 2025, after it developed a critical 26-degree tilt, also known as a "starboard list," while en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi. The incident began on May 24 when the ship, located approximately 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi, lost stability and sent a distress call to Indian authorities.The vessel was carrying 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous cargo such as calcium carbide, along with 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil. The situation escalated overnight, leading to the ship capsizing.Onboard were 24 crew members, comprising one Russian (the Master), 20 Filipinos, two Ukrainians, and one Georgian national. Following the distress call, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) launched a rescue operation, successfully rescuing 21 crew members on May 24, while the remaining three crew members were rescued later by INS Sujata after the vessel capsized.The ship contained 84.44 MT of diesel and 367.1 MT of furnace oil in its tanks, with some oil already leaking into the sea. Current estimates suggest the fuel is drifting at approximately 3 km per hour, posing a risk to Kerala's delicate coastline.The Indian Coast Guard has confirmed a 'significant oil leak' and has deployed vessels such as ICGS Saksham, Samarth, and a Dornier aircraft equipped with oil dispersants to manage the spill.A senior coast guard officer told TOI that it is fully geared up to respond to any emerging situation. "Our operation has just begun. Our next step is the pollution response (PR) operations. All the equipment for pollution have been loaded onto a large vessel. We will be looking at the satellite assessments to form our strategy."Booms and skimmers will be used to contain the spill, according to the officer. "We have various booms which protect and limit the oil spill in a particular area. Then we have the skimmers, which are used when the oil is restricted to one area. Skimmers will remove the oil from the surface of the sea. There are also oil spill dispersants," they said.The vessel was also carrying 12 containers of calcium carbide, a highly reactive substance with seawater that produces flammable acetylene gas. This cargo presents serious threats to both marine life and coastal populations.The Indian Coast Guard is spearheading pollution response efforts under the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan, with oversight from its director general. Surveillance aircraft equipped with advanced oil spill mapping technology are actively assessing the situation. 'We are fully geared to respond to the emerging scenario,' saud the ICG.The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has warned residents that oil films or debris may wash up along the coast.Containers have started washing ashore, police said on Monday. Coastal police said that at least four containers have been found along the southern Kollam coast.KSDMA member secretary Sekhar Kuriakose urged locals to report any sightings to the police. 'There is a possibility that the containers and the oil can reach the state's coast,' he said Sunday.The Kerala coast is known for its rich biodiversity and is a popular tourist destination. Authorities are preparing for a worst-case scenario, particularly in districts such as Thrissur, Kochi, and Alappuzha, which may be most affected by the impending pollution.Monitoring efforts are ongoing as containment operations ramp up.
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