India’s Kerala state on high alert as vessel with hazardous cargo sinks off its coast
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
India’s Kerala state on high alert as vessel with hazardous chemical cargo sinks
The Liberia-flagged MSC ELSA 3 was sailing between the Indian ports of Vizhinjam and Kochi. It sank about 38 nautical miles (70 kilometres) off Kerala early on Sunday morning. The vessel went down with 640 containers, including 13 with an unspecified “hazardous cargo” and 12 containing calcium carbide.
A state of high alert has been issued in India’s southern state of Kerala after a container ship carrying hazardous cargo sank in the Arabian Sea.
The Liberia-flagged MSC ELSA 3 was sailing between the Indian ports of Vizhinjam and Kochi when it sank about 38 nautical miles (70 kilometres) off Kerala early on Sunday morning due to flooding in one of its compartments.
All 24 crew members were rescued, India’s defence ministry said.
The vessel went down with 640 containers, including 13 with an unspecified “hazardous cargo” and 12 containing calcium carbide.
“As the oil slick can reach anywhere along the Kerala coast, an alert has been sounded across the coastal belt,” the chief minister’s office said in a statement.
It also had 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil in its tanks.
Authorities fear that some of the harmful substances the ship was carrying may have leaked into the sea, posing a risk to local residents and marine life.
The Kerala chief minister’s office on Monday urged people to stay away from some of the containers that began washing ashore.
It also advised fishermen not to venture too close to the sunken ship.
The Indian Coast Guard said it had sent an aircraft with an oil spill detection system to survey the area.
It also deployed a ship carrying pollution control equipment to the site of the accident.
Kerala Coast on High Alert as Hazardous Cargo Vessel Sinks, Urgent Response Required!
Kerala issued a high alert after a container ship sank, urging fishermen to avoid the area due to hazardous cargo and potential pollution. The Liberia-flagged vessel sank about 38 nautical miles off Kerala, prompting authorities to advise fishermen to stay clear of the area. All 24 crew members were rescued, but the ship’s cargo included 640 containers, with 13 classified as hazardous and containing materials like calcium carbide.
apnews.com
India‘s southern state of Kerala is on high alert following the sinking of the MSC ELSA 3, a container ship carrying hazardous cargo. The incident, which occurred on May 26, 2025, has raised significant environmental concerns as containers began washing ashore.
6 Key Takeaways High alert issued in Kerala coastal areas
MSC ELSA 3 sank with hazardous cargo
All 24 crew members were rescued
Containers washing ashore pose risks
Fishermen advised to avoid accident site
Coast Guard deployed pollution control equipment
The Liberia-flagged vessel sank about 38 nautical miles off Kerala, prompting authorities to advise fishermen to stay clear of the area. All 24 crew members were rescued, but the ship’s cargo included 640 containers, with 13 classified as hazardous and containing materials like calcium carbide.
Fast Answer: Kerala’s high alert following the MSC ELSA 3 sinking highlights growing global concerns about maritime safety and environmental protection.
This incident raises critical questions about maritime regulations and environmental safety. How prepared are coastal regions to handle such emergencies? The situation underscores the need for robust safety protocols in shipping industries worldwide.
The ship carried 84.44 metric tons of diesel and 367.1 metric tons of furnace oil.
Authorities deployed pollution control equipment to manage potential spills.
Public safety measures are crucial to prevent further accidents.
This incident poses a significant environmental risk, emphasizing the need for effective maritime safety measures globally.
As the situation develops, it is imperative for authorities to ensure the safety of both the environment and local communities. Will this incident lead to stricter regulations in maritime operations?
India’s Kerala state on high alert as vessel with hazardous cargo sinks off its coast
The Liberia-flagged MSC ELSA3 capsized about 38 nautical miles off the coast of Kerala. All 24 crew members on board have been accounted for.
The Liberia-flagged MSC ELSA3 ship was travelling from Vizhinjam on India’s southern tip to Kochi when it capsized about 38 nautical miles off Kerala on Saturday, officials said, adding that all 24 crew members had been rescued.
The entire ship has since been “submerged”, the Kerala chief minister’s office said in a statement on Sunday without elaborating on the cause of the incident.
“The Coast Guard is taking steps to block the oil with two ships. A Dornier aircraft is also being used to spray oil-destroying powder on the oil slick,” the statement said.