Kochi (Kerala): A major maritime disaster was reported on Sunday as the Liberian-flagged container vessel MSC ELSA 3 sank 38 nautical miles off the Kochi coast in Kerala, in the Arabian Sea. Despite coordinated rescue and containment efforts by the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and shipping authorities, the vessel, which began tilting on Saturday afternoon, fully capsized early Sunday due to flooding.
The ship was carrying 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous cargo and 12 containing calcium carbide, raising concerns of environmental hazards. The ship also had 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil in its tanks. A massive oil slick has already formed around the wreck site, prompting urgent pollution control operations.
All 24 crew members have been rescued—21 were evacuated by the Indian Coast Guard on Saturday, while the remaining three, including the captain and chief engineer, were rescued by INS Sujata on Sunday morning.
Coast Guard ships ICGS Saksham and ICGS Arnvesh, along with surveillance aircraft and offshore patrol vessels, have been deployed for containment and monitoring. The vessel could not be salvaged in time, and several containers have reportedly drifted toward the Kerala coast due to strong monsoon currents.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has issued public warnings, urging people to maintain a 200-meter distance from any suspicious objects washing ashore. Areas most at risk include the coasts of Alappuzha, Kollam, and Ernakulam, where containers may reach within 36–48 hours.
INCOIS has activated oil spill simulations and is assisting authorities with environmental advisory services. The Coast Guard has launched a full-scale pollution response operation and is working closely with the state administration to mitigate environmental damage.
The vessel, built in 1997, measured 184 meters in length. Officials confirmed the ship flipped entirely before sinking. Investigation into the cause of the accident and hazardous material management is underway.