Kerala govt declares shipwreck off coast a state-specific disaster

The Kerala government on Thursday (May 29) declared the wreck of the cargo vessel MSC Elisa III a state-specific disaster, enabling the mobilisation of emergency funds and targeted relief for affected coastal communities. The declaration was made through an official government order following environmental and administrative review.

Also read: Kerala deploys volunteers to clean plastic pellets after shipwreck

Addressing a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the state was taking all necessary steps to manage the aftermath and ensure accountability.

Over containers fall into sea

“The government has declared this incident a state-specific disaster to facilitate prompt action. We are mobilising all available resources to protect the coastline and support affected families,” the Chief Minister said.

Also read: Kerala ship accident: No oil on state's shores, says Coast Guard

The vessel, a Liberian-flagged container ship, capsized on May 24 about 38 nautical miles off the Kochi coast, and later sank roughly 14.6 nautical miles from the Thottappally spillway. It was carrying 643 containers, including hazardous cargo such as calcium carbide, plastic pellets, rubber, and chemicals. The Chief Minister said over 100 containers are believed to have fallen into the sea, and 54 have since washed ashore or drifted close to the coasts of Alappuzha, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram.

“Plastic nurdles have been spotted along the Thiruvananthapuram coast, and we are treating this as a serious threat to the marine ecosystem,” he said.

Pinarayi urged local communities, especially fishers and coastal residents, not to retrieve any floating items and to cooperate with safety protocols issued by the State Disaster Management Authority.

“This is not just about economic loss. It’s about environmental safety. People must avoid contact with container debris or suspected chemical material,” Pinarayi said.

He announced that each fishing family in the four affected districts —Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam — would receive Rs 1,000 in cash and 6 kg of free rice as immediate relief. Fishing has been prohibited within a 20-nautical mile radius of the wreck site.

“Our response teams, including police, SPC, Aapta Mitra volunteers, and Civil Defence personnel, are on the ground. Drone surveys are being used for container tracking. We are also consulting international oil spill experts and have asked Dr. Muralee Thummarukudy for technical advice,” he said.

Claims desk in Kochi

Pinarayi clarified that major salvage operations will be postponed until after the monsoon, but stressed that containment and fuel recovery efforts had already begun. The Directorate General of Shipping has appointed Captain Aneesh Joseph as the nodal officer to assist Kerala in filing claims. The ship’s insurer, Protection and Indemnity, has set up a claims desk in Kochi.

“Kerala will demand the complete removal of the wreck. This is non-negotiable,” he asserted.

Addressing concerns about calcium carbide leakage, the Chief Minister said there was no immediate threat.

“Experts have confirmed that the calcium carbide containers are heavy and unlikely to float. There is no need for panic. Regular tests are being conducted, and there is no indication that seafood has been contaminated,” he said.

He concluded by appealing for public cooperation and media responsibility.

“This is an environmental emergency. The government will act firmly, but misinformation can only make things worse. We ask the media and public to rely on official updates,” he added.