Kerala issues coastal alert as hazardous cargo drifts ashore

Authorities in the southern Indian state of Kerala have issued an environmental alert after a cargo ship carrying oil and hazardous materials capsized and sank off the coast near Kochi in the Arabian Sea.

The Liberian-flagged MSC ELSA 3 sank early Sunday morning, about 38 nautical miles from the shore, after flooding was reported in one of its compartments. The vessel was en route from Vizhinjam port to Kochi.

All 24 crew members were rescued in a joint operation by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.

Officials said the ship had 640 containers on board, some of which are now drifting towards the shore. Among them are 13 containers with hazardous materials and 12 with calcium carbide, a chemical that reacts with seawater to release flammable gas.

The ship was also carrying over 450 metric tonnes of fuel, including 84.44 tonnes of diesel and 367.1 tonnes of furnace oil, raising concerns of significant marine pollution.

"An alert has been sounded across the coastal belt," the Kerala chief minister’s office said, warning that the oil slick could affect any part of the state's coastline. The area is known for its rich biodiversity and is a major tourist hub.

Residents have been advised not to touch any washed-up containers or oil, and fishermen are being told to avoid the affected waters.

On Monday, authorities said pollution control efforts had been intensified. The Indian Coast Guard has deployed a vessel equipped with oil containment gear and has also dispatched an aircraft with oil spill detection systems to monitor the affected zone.

Environmental experts have warned of long-term ecological damage if the spill is not contained quickly, particularly given the presence of toxic chemicals.

While no casualties were reported, several coastal communities near Kochi have been temporarily evacuated as a precaution.

“This incident could have devastating consequences for marine life and coastal livelihoods if not contained swiftly,” said an official with Kerala’s environmental protection agency.

The Indian Coast Guard continues to coordinate containment efforts and has confirmed that the situation is being monitored closely.