Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) issued an urgent public warning on Saturday after a Liberia-flagged cargo ship, operated by the MSC line, capsized in the Arabian Sea while en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi. The incident, which took place just 30 minutes before the vessel was due to dock at Kochi Port, has triggered a massive search and rescue operation and raised serious environmental concerns.

According to official reports, the ship had departed from Vizhinjam on Friday and was expected to reach Kochi by 1:30 pm on Saturday. However, at around 38 nautical miles from Kochi Port, the vessel turned, under still-unclear circumstances.

The 184 meter long Liberia flagged container vessel, MSC ELSA 3, had departed Vizhinjam Port on 23 May with ETA at Kochi on 24 May. At around 1325 hrs on 24 May, M/s MSC Ship Management intimated Indian authorities regarding development of 26 degree list onboard their vessel, approximately 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi, seeking urgent assistance.

Twenty one of the 24 crew onboard have abandoned the ship and are in liferafts, while rescue operations for the remaining three are underway. ICG aircraft (Dornier) have dropped additional liferafts near the vessel to facilitate further evacuation. The Indian Coast Guard is coordinating the rescue operations while maintaining ships in the area and aircraft overhead the distressed vessel. One Indian Navy ship and two Coast Guard ships are in the area. The developing situation is being monitored closely by the Indian Coast Guard to prevent loss of life and damage to the environment. The crew includes the master, who is Russian, 20 Filipinos, 2 Ukrainians, and 1 Georgian.

According to KSDMA member secretary Dr Sekhar Lukose Kuriakose, the containers may drift towards Thiruvananthapuram or Kasargod seashores. Coastal guards have alerted the authorities of the potential threat, and surveillance has been intensified.

A few containers have reportedly fallen into the sea during the incident. These containers, now drifting in the Arabian Sea, are believed to contain hazardous materials, including 367.1 metric tonnes of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) and 84.4 metric tonnes of Marine Gas Oil.

These substances pose a serious environmental and safety hazard if they leak or come in contact with humans. The exact contents of the containers have not yet been confirmed, but authorities fear the presence of flammable and toxic substances.

Public safety measures and instructions

Dr Kuriakose added that any sighting of cargo containers or oil spills near the coast must be immediately reported.

He stressed that if anyone sees a container or oil in the sea or on shore, do not approach or touch it, inform the nearest coastal police station or call emergency number 112.

Fishermen, beachgoers and residents in coastal regions have been advised to remain extra cautious. The KSDMA has warned of direct contact with the leaked materials.

Cleanup and emergency teams are on standby, and coastal monitoring has been strengthened to track the direction and impact of the drifting containers.

Further updates will be issued as the situation develops.