A cargo ship named MSC Elsa 3, flying a Liberian flag, sank off the coast of Kerala after it tilted dangerously and began losing containers into the sea. The situation has raised serious environmental concerns.

Three Crew Members Rescued at Last Moment

Three crew members who stayed on the vessel as per their company’s orders were finally rescued. Earlier, authorities had saved 21 out of 24 crew members. The rescued group included 20 Filipinos, one Russian, two Ukrainians, and one Georgian.

Ship Reported Severe Tilt After Departure

The ship had left Vizhinjam port on Friday and was on its way to Kochi when trouble began. The parent company told Indian officials that the vessel was tilting by 26 degrees and urgently asked for help.

Coast Guard Explains the Incident

Inspector General Bhisham Sharma from the Coast Guard (Western Region) said, “We thought the ship would stabilise but water ingress sank it.” He confirmed that the Indian Navy ship INS Sujata rescued the remaining three crew. “All crew remain safe and Coast Guard is assessing the situation and issuing an advisory to state authorities,” he added.

Floating Containers Pose New Risks

Sharma warned that many containers are now floating in the sea. “These containers can come ashore,” he said. He added that the Kerala Chief Secretary is leading a meeting to evaluate the potential threats.

Dangerous Cargo Onboard

The ship was carrying 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous materials. Among them, 12 containers held calcium carbide. The ship also had 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel in its fuel tanks.

Coast Guard Readies for Pollution Control

In an official statement, the Coast Guard said the Kerala coastline is rich in biodiversity and a popular tourist spot. “The Coast Guard has geared up pollution response preparedness and coordination with the state administration for all possible scenarios,” the statement said.

They also deployed aircraft equipped with advanced tools to detect oil spills. “Presently, no oil spill has been reported,” the Coast Guard added.

INS Sujata Saves Crew Under Tough Conditions

A defence spokesperson said INS Sujata recovered the last three crew members in a risky operation. The ship stayed near the sunken vessel as another ship from the same Liberian company arrived to help.

He said the Indian Navy and Coast Guard closely monitored the situation. Experts are now checking if the ship can be towed.

KSDMA Issues Public Warning

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has warned people not to touch any cargo containers or oil that may wash up on the shore. It asked the public to inform the police immediately if they find anything unusual.

KSDMA said cargo and oil could reach the shore and that people might see oil films along some parts of the coastline.