Kochi: The Kerala High Court has directed the state government to publish a detailed list of materials on board the Liberian cargo ship MSC Elsa 3, which sank off the coast of Alappuzha.

The court’s strong remarks were made over a petition filed by Congress MP T.N. Prathapan, who raised environmental and safety concerns following the maritime incident. The bench stressed the people’s right to know the consequences of the shipwreck, especially with reports of hazardous materials on board.

The court ordered the government to submit a detailed report on the contents of all 643 containers, particularly the 13 containers known to be carrying dangerous substances. The state has been asked to update the court when the case is taken up for hearing next, two weeks from now.

The High Court’s intervention follows growing public anxiety over potential environmental damage. While some of the cargo, including cotton and tea leaves, washed ashore in Kollam, Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram, some damaged or sunken containers may leak toxic materials into the sea. Several recovered containers were reportedly found empty or completely damaged.

Of particular concern is the risk of a fuel spill from the sunken vessel, which could further endanger marine ecosystems and local livelihoods.