The Liberian cargo ship MSc Elsa 3 drowned after overturning the sea near Kochi, Kerala. There were 640 containers on the ship, including some very dangerous items including calcium carbide, diesel and furnace oil. The ship overturned, causing oil to leak from it. Taking the situation seriously, an immediate rescue operation was launched and all the crew members were rescued. All 24 crew members were rescued by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Navy.
People were advised to stay away from items found on the beach
The ship left for Kochi from Vijayanagaram port in Kerala on 23 May. On May 24, in the afternoon, it was drowned in the sea, 38 knots from the Kochi coast. The ICG-based ICG-based ICG’s maritime rescue sub-center (MRSC) launched the rescue operation. In view of the incident, the Kerala State Disaster Management Department (SDMA) has issued an alert. The department has asked people to stay away from the items coming from the beach. Do not touch it.
The accident occurred due to waterlogging in the hold.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) said that it drowned due to water flooding in a hold of a ship. The rescue operation was then launched and all were rescued. There were a total of 640 containers on the ship, out of which 12 containers had calcium carbide. Apart from this, the ship also had 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 MT furnace oil.
The ICG has said that there is a danger of pollution due to oil leakage, but necessary preparations are being made in view of this. The National Ocean Information Services Center (INCOIS) says that the spread oil can reach the beaches of Alpuzha, Ambalapuzha, Aratupuzha and Karunagappalli within 36-48 hours. We are monitoring the situation and in touch with all concerned authorities.
The SDMA said that a meeting has been called to review the situation and people have been asked to stay away from the items that are suspected to be on the shore from the submerged ship. People should stay at least 200 meters away from such things.
