Kochi:
The Liberian vessel takes 640 containers, which included 13 with 13 dangerous cargo, away from the Kochi coast on Sunday, fearing a potential oil spread. According to officials, all 24 crew members were rescued after the ship developed a significant inclination on Saturday.
So far, no oil leakage has been made, the Ministry of Defense said on Sunday that complete pollution response preparations were activated by the Indian coast guard who was monitoring the situation with the Indian Navy.
“Liberian container vessel MSC ELSA 3 (Imo No. 9123221) drowned on the Kochi coast on May 25, 2025 today due to floods …
The ministry said in a statement, “The vessel went down with 640 containers, including 13 dangerous cargo and 12 calcium cargo. It was also loaded with 84.44 MT of diesel and 367.1 MT oil.”
Among the 24 crew members, 21 were rescued by the Indian Coast Guard on Saturday, and the remaining three were later rescued by INS Sujata, which joined the rescue operations launched by ICG.
Officials said that given the sensitive maritime ecosystem along the coast of Kerala, the ICG has activated “full pollution response preparations” and the ICG aircraft are operating aerial monitoring equipped with advanced oil spill detection systems, said officials said.
The Ministry of Defense said, “ICG Ship Shasham, a pollution response tool, is posted on the site. So far, no oil spread has been reported.”
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has warned the general public against touching any cargo containers or oil that can wash the ash.
The Coast Guard has confirmed that the vessel was carrying sea gas oil (MGO) and very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO).
Deploying his ships and aircraft, the Indian Coast Guard on Saturday launched a rescue operation after a crisis call from the Liberian container vessel, which developed a significant 26-degree list of a significant 26-degree list at a distance of about 38 nautical miles in the southwest of Kochi.
Officials said the Emergency began on May 24, when MSc Elsa 3, the route from Visinjam to Kochi, developed a 26-degree “Starboard List” at a distance of about 38 nattical miles in the south-west of Kochi.
The vessel lost stability, inspired a crisis call. ICG’s maritime rescue sub-centers (MRSC) immediately initiated a coordinated response in Kochi, said.
The Ministry of Defense said, “An ICG Dornier aircraft was deployed for aerial surveillance, which spots two lives with the remaining people. ICG patrol ships and business ships MV Han Yi and MSc Silver 2 were also diverted for assistance to global search and rescue protocols,” said the Defense Ministry.
By late Saturday evening, 21 were rescued from 24 crew including citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Georgia and Philippines. The members of the three senior crew members were on the ship for assistance with the disposal system, said.
The ministry’s statement said, “However, the position of the vessel deteriorated overnight and it was capitalized on 25 May. Three crew members were forced to leave the ship and rescued by Inse Sujata.”
The Coast Guard also shared some photos on rescue operation updates and X on Sunday.
Given that both the sensitive coast of Kerala is home to vivid biodiversity and is a major tourist attraction, in a statement released in the first day, the Coast Guard said, the ICG has fulfilled the preparation and coordination of pollution response with the state administration for all possible landscapes.
“Advanced oil is assessing the ICG aircraft status with spill mapping techniques. Currently, no oil is reported to be spread,” said this.
A defense pro -defense said that another ship of the original company had reached the area as part of the assistance efforts.
He said the Coast Guard, who led the rescue operation, and monitoring the situation in the Indian Navy ship area and monitoring the situation.
KSDMA has warned the general public against touching any cargo container or oil that can wash the ash.
He has urged people to immediately inform the police whether they keep any container or oil on the edge.
The 184-meter long vessel, MSC ELSA 3, departed from the Vizinjam port on Friday to Kochi.
At around 1.25 pm on May 24, the ship owner company informed the Indian authorities that she was listing from 26 degrees and sought immediate assistance.
The Coast Guard was coordinating rescue operations by maintaining ships and planes near the distressed vessel.
The 24-member crew of the vessel includes one Russian (master), 20 Philippino, two Ukrainians and one Georgian National.
According to the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, it is likely that cargo-including containers and oil-ashes can be washed.
KSDMA also warned that oil films could appear in parts of the coast.
(Except for the headline, the story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is published by a syndicated feed.)
