Authorities in Kerala, southern India, have raised alarms after a cargo ship carrying oil and hazardous materials capsized in the Arabian Sea near Kochi city. The incident occurred on Sunday, with the vessel, a Liberian-flagged ship, leaking harmful substances into the waters. Although all 24 crew members were rescued, some containers are reported to be drifting toward the coastline, prompting evacuations in surrounding areas.
The coastal region is lauded for its rich biodiversity and is a crucial site for tourism, heightening the concern among local officials. The alert issued by the chief minister's office warns residents against contacting any containers or oil that may wash ashore, and fishermen have been urged to keep away from the sunken vessel.
To address the crisis, Kerala's officials have intensified pollution control efforts and deployed response ships and aircraft equipped for oil spill detection. The MSC ELSA 3 was reportedly carrying 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous materials and over 450 metric tonnes of oil and diesel, making the situation even more precarious.
The Indian Navy played a significant role in rescuing the crew through an extensive operation lasting several hours post-capsizing. As fears grow over potential damage to marine life and public health, the regional government is actively monitoring the spill to mitigate its impact.
