A serious maritime incident has raised alarm along Kerala’s coast as containers from the Liberian cargo ship MSC Elsa 3, which sank in the Arabian Sea, have started washing ashore. As of now, three containers have reached the shore in Cheria Azheekal and Chavara Parimanam in Kollam, while another was found at Sakthikulangara’s Madamathope area. These containers were found open after hitting the sea wall, leading to fears of hazardous content spilling into the surroundings.
Following the incident, authorities swiftly evacuated families residing near the affected coastline. A high alert has been declared in several coastal regions, and people have been strictly instructed not to approach or touch any suspicious objects that may appear on the shore. Citizens have been advised to report such findings to the emergency helpline 112.
Earlier, an oil-like substance was reportedly spotted in the sea near Thottapalli, Alappuzha, raising concerns about potential fuel leakage. As a precaution, the Pollution Control Board has collected water samples for testing to determine if there is any contamination. Additionally, dredging activities at Thottapalli Pozhi have been restricted to within 20 meters from the site.
The MSC Elsa 3 had been on its way from Vizhinjam to Kochi when it capsized roughly 38 nautical miles from the Kerala coast, possibly due to high sea turbulence. The Indian Navy successfully rescued all 24 crew members. However, the situation remains tense as some of the lost containers are believed to contain marine gas oil and very low sulfur fuel, both considered hazardous. The State Disaster Management Authority has issued warnings in regions including Kochi, Thrissur, and Alappuzha, urging continued vigilance.
