India Works to Control Oil Spill After Ship Sinks Off Kerala Coast
BENGALURU – Indian officials are working urgently to contain a rising environmental crisis after a cargo ship sank near Kerala’s coastline, causing a major oil spill in the Arabian Sea, state authorities confirmed.
The vessel, identified as MSC ELSA 3, was sailing under the Liberian flag and measured approximately 184 meters (603 feet) in length. The ship sank on Sunday, roughly 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi, after issuing a distress signal on Saturday due to massive flooding on board. All 24 crew members were safely rescued before its sinking.
At the time of the incident, the vessel was traveling from Vizhinjam to Kochi, carrying 640 cargo containers — among them 13 were labeled as hazardous, and 12 were loaded with calcium carbide, a chemical widely used in manufacturing fertilizers and steel. Additionally, the ship was carrying about 370 tonnes of fuel and oil, raising major concerns over potential marine pollution.
The Indian Coast Guard has launched an emergency operation to contain the oil leak. Two Coast Guard vessels have been dispatched to the area to limit the spread of fuel in the water, while a Dornier surveillance aircraft is conducting aerial spraying of dispersants to break up the oil slick.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed the ship’s sinking was caused by uncontrollable flooding. Environmental experts are alarmed, warning that the region’s marine ecosystem is highly sensitive and could suffer long-term damage if the spill is not swiftly controlled.
Local coastal communities have been placed on high alert, and authorities have issued a public advisory urging residents to avoid contact with any containers or debris that may wash ashore. The presence of hazardous chemicals and heavy fuel oil makes the situation particularly dangerous.
Efforts are ongoing to prevent the spill from reaching Kerala’s coastline. Environmental agencies are closely monitoring water quality and potential harm to marine biodiversity, including fish stocks and coral reefs in the area.
Officials said cleanup operations could take several days or weeks depending on weather conditions and the extent of the leak.
