All Crew Rescued from Sunken Liberian Ship off Kerala; Coast Guard Monitors Pollution Risk
All 24 crew members of the Liberian-flagged container ship MSC ELSA 3 were successfully rescued after it sank approximately 38 nautical miles off Kochi, Kerala. INS Sujata played a key role in rescuing the final members. The 184-metre vessel sank due to flooding. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) remains on high alert, actively monitoring the situation for potential pollution from the sunken ship and preparing for necessary response efforts.
Unpacked:
The exact cause of the vessel’s 26-degree list and subsequent flooding remains undetermined. Authorities are investigating, but initial reports confirm the tilt occurred while the ship was en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi, leading to instability and eventual capsizing.
The ship was carrying 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous cargo and 12 with calcium carbide. It also had 84.44 metric tons of diesel and 367.1 metric tons of furnace oil, raising concerns about pollution risk if these materials leak.
The Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy launched a rapid, coordinated rescue after the distress call. ICG patrol ships, aircraft, and diverted merchant vessels participated. Most crew were rescued by ICG, while the final three, who stayed to assist salvage efforts, were saved by INS Sujata after the vessel capsized.
The sunken ship poses risks of oil and hazardous material spills, which could harm the sensitive Kerala marine ecosystem. The Indian Coast Guard has mobilized pollution response resources, deployed aerial surveillance for oil detection, and stationed pollution control equipment at the site. No spill has been reported so far.