Indian authorities are racing to contain an oil spill after a Liberian-flagged container ship, MSC ELSA 3, sank off the coast of Kerala on Sunday. The 184-meter vessel was transporting 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous materials and 12 carrying calcium carbide, a chemical commonly used in fertilizers and steelmaking. It also had around 370 tonnes of fuel and oil on board.
All 24 crew members were safely rescued, but environmental concerns have grown due to the spill’s proximity to Kerala’s ecologically sensitive coastline. The ship reportedly went down 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi after experiencing flooding and issuing a distress call on Saturday during its journey between Vizhinjam and Kochi.
In response, the Indian Coast Guard deployed two ships to contain the spill and is also using a Dornier aircraft to spray chemical dispersants to break down the oil. Meanwhile, Kerala’s state government has warned residents to stay away from any containers that may have washed ashore, as some have already appeared along the coast.
The Indian Defence Ministry is closely monitoring the situation, as the incident poses a threat to the region’s fragile marine ecosystem. Coastal areas have been placed on high alert as cleanup and containment efforts continue.
