Thiruvananthapuram: A full-scale alert has been issued along the Kerala coast following the sinking of the cargo vessel MSC ELSA 3, which went down 14.6 nautical miles off the Thottappally spillway.

The shipwreck has triggered a multi-agency emergency response, spearheaded by the state government and the Coast Guard, to manage the fallout from the incident. The vessel, now completely submerged, is reported to have spilled fuel into the sea, resulting in an oil slick that is currently being contained using two Coast Guard vessels.

A Dornier aircraft has also been deployed to spray dispersant to neutralise the oil spread. Around 100 containers that were onboard the ship are now adrift in the sea, moving at an estimated speed of 3 km/h. All crew members were safely rescued, authorities confirmed.

A high-level meeting convened by the Chief Secretary on Saturday reviewed the situation and chalked out a comprehensive action plan involving the Coast Guard, Navy, Pollution Control Board, Disaster Management Authority, and other key departments.

Areas on High Alert

The districts of Alappuzha, Kollam, Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram are expected to be at greater risk of encountering drifting containers or oil slicks. However, considering the unpredictability of the slick’s movement, a full alert has been declared for the entire Kerala coastline.

Residents along the coast have been urged to stay vigilant and avoid approaching any unidentified containers or materials that wash ashore. Authorities have advised the public to maintain a minimum distance of 200 meters from such objects and report them to the helpline number 112. Local bodies have been instructed to enforce these guidelines strictly.

Fishing Ban and Marine Safety

A temporary ban on fishing has been imposed within a 20 nautical mile radius from the wreck site. Fisherfolk have also been warned not to venture out to sea until further notice, citing both hazardous marine conditions and the presence of debris.

Response and Recovery Operations

Two Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) each have been stationed in the districts from Thrissur southwards, while northern districts will deploy one team each. The Factories and Boilers Department will oversee safe removal of containers from the shore using cranes and JCBs. The Pollution Control Board, with the support of local disaster management units and police, is preparing to handle any oil slicks that may reach the shore. Additional containment equipment such as booms and skimmers will be mobilized by the Coast Guard, Navy, and Port Department. Authorities are also developing a special plan to deal with the possibility of oil settling on the seabed, involving key stakeholders such as the Forest Department and environmental agencies.

State’s Priorities

The government reiterated that public safety, environmental protection, and the wellbeing of the fishing community are its highest priorities. The Chief Secretary emphasized coordinated efforts across departments to mitigate the impact of the incident and ensure swift recovery. The meeting was attended by senior state officials, disaster management experts, Coast Guard and Navy representatives, and district collectors from all coastal regions. The situation continues to be closely monitored.