6 days ago
27 Containers moved to Kollam Port after cargo ship sinking
Thiruvananthapuram: Following the sinking of the cargo ship, MSC ELSA 3, 27 containers that washed ashore in Kollam were moved to Kollam Port, said district collector N Devidas after a review meeting at the district collectorate.
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Officials were tasked with assessing the damage caused to the fishermen and submitting a report, the collector said. The irrigation department is required to compile information on the damaged sea walls. The fisheries department is responsible for providing details of fishermen who own damaged nets and equipment. Village officers were assigned to estimate losses incurred by private individuals, he added.
The containers with hazardous materials were not identified.
A total of 44 containers reached Kollam and Karunagappally taluk areas, with 28 of them empty. The contents of four containers are under inspection. The remaining containers include items like green tea, newsprint, craft paper and paperboard. Recovery efforts are currently focused on Ozhukuthodu, Thirumullavaram, Kappil Beach and Neendakara, Devidas said.
Under the pollution control board's guidance, the civil defence volunteers were cleaning the coastal areas where the containers washed ashore.
Plastic bags from the region between Mundakkal and Thanni were removed and other waste in the Shaktikulangara area is being cleared. The board also collected samples for further examination.
Although no oil spills were detected, all precautionary measures have been taken. Training was provided to officials and volunteers with the cooperation of the Indian Coast Guard. The recovery operations are being conducted by MERC (Maritime Emergency Response Centre) Private Ltd.
The meeting held at the district collector's chamber was attended by ADM G Nirmal Kumar, sub-collector Nishant Sihara and other district-level officials.
