A 184-metre-long cargo ship, MSC ELSA 3 sink approximately 70 kms off Kochi, Kerala at coordinates 09°18.76’N 076°08.12’E. The Liberia flagged container ship was sailing from Vizhinjam to Kochi both located in Kerala. The accident occurred after the Ship started tilting sideways. All 24 crew members were rescued by the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard.
Among the 24 members on board, 21 were rescued and 3 members had remained onboard as per the instruction of the company. They were later rescued by the combined efforts of Indian Navy and Coast Guard.
The ship contained 640 containers of which 13 contained hazardous cargo and 12 contained calcium carbide. The containers also carried 367.1 metric tonnes of oil, 84. 44 metric tonnes of diesel and other chemical liquids. In order to avoid chemical spillage and associated environmental issues associated with it, the Indian Coast Guard is deployed to undertake pollution response.
Though currently no oil spillage is reported, in order avoid any unforeseen circumstances that may heavily damage biodiversity off the coast, the ICG is using oil spill mapping and air monitoring. The ICG reported the incident to the state and the official of the flagged ship on Saturday at around 1: 00 pm. The coast guard has deployed Dornier short-range maritime patrol aircraft and Shaksham. The operation was undertaken by both the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. Naval vessel INS Sujata was also part of the Operation.
The reason for the sudden situation and the tilting of the ship is unknown. Investigating are underway. The crew of the ship belonged to philipines, Russia, Ukraine and Georgia.
A Defence PRO has informed the media that another vessel from the parent company had reached the area as part of the assistance efforts. Kerala State Disaster Management Authority is on high alert as the cargo including oil and chemical substances have spiller to the sea and may wash ashore. a possibility that cargo –including containers and oil– may wash ashore.
