Cargo ship carrying hazardous materials lists off Kerala coast

A Liberian container vessel reportedly carrying hazardous materials, including oil, partially capsized into the Arabian Sea off the Kerala coast on Saturday (May 24), the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) said.

Referring to the inputs provided by the Coast Guard on the incident, the KSDMA further stated that several containers from the vessel have fallen into the sea, adding that some of them might carry hazardous substances.

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'May contain hazardous materials'

Several containers from the vessel have reportedly fallen into the sea, some of which reportedly contain hazardous materials. The KSDMA has confirmed that marine gas oil (MGO) and very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) have leaked from the ship.

According to KSDMA authorities, there is a possibility that some of the containers might reach the shore. In such a scenario, the Coast Guard warned the residents not to touch any suspicious items that have drifted onto the shore and inform the police immediately.

Government officials said that all 24 crew members have been rescued.

According to the government officials, the partially capsized vessel is currently located about 74 km off Kochi, 62 km from Alappuzha, and 104 km from Kollam.

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Ships, aircraft deployed

A Defence release stated that the 184 metre long vessel called MSC Elsa 3 departed for Kochi from the Vizhinjam port on Friday. But at around 1.25 pm on Saturday, the company owning the ship informed the Indian authorities that it was listing by 26 degrees and requested urgent assistance.

The release further stated that the rescue operation is being coordinated by the Coast Guard that has deployed ships and aircrafts near the distressed vessel.

"Indian Coast Guard aircrafts (Dornier) have dropped additional life rafts near the vessel to facilitate further evacuation. DG Shipping, in coordination with Indian Coast Guard, has issued directives to the ship managers for providing urgent salvage services for the vessel," stated the release.

If further stated crew members who were taken on board one of the Coast Guard vessels which took part in the rescue operation were being provided with medical assistance.

According to the release the 24-member crew of the vessel comprised one Russian, the Master, 20 Fliipinos, two Ukrainians and one person from Georgia.

Coast Guard warning

“The Coast Guard has issued a warning, and residents are advised not to touch any containers or suspicious items that may wash ashore. In such cases, they should immediately inform the police or call emergency number 112. Authorities are taking necessary measures to alert coastal residents and mitigate potential risks,” stated the KSDMA.

A PTI report quoted KSDMA member secretary Sekhar Kuriakose as saying that there was a possibility of oil films appearing along the coast in some areas. He made the remarks in a voice note shared with reporters.

(With agency inputs)