Containers From Liberian Cargo Ships Wash Ashore In Kollam Coast (image:x.com/Anand02908794)
Kollam, Kerala: Containers from the Liberia-flagged container ship, MSC ELSA 3, which sank off the Kochi coast on Sunday (May 25), washed ashore near the Kollam coast on Monday morning. The first container was spotted around 4 a.m. on the Alappad coast, followed by three container sets found near the Parimanam area of Neendakara at approximately 5 a.m., Mathrubhumi reports.
As per the initial reports, all the containers that have hit the shores found to be in an open state and appear to be empty. Since the containers were located near a residential area, district authorities have advised the people to vacate their houses and move to safer locations.
Also Read | Diesel, Furnace Oil, Calcium Carbide Leak Feared As Cargo Ship MSC ELSA 3 Goes Down Off Kerala Coast
On Saturday, the MSC Elsa 3, the 184-meter vessel, operated by Mediterranean Shipping Company, carrying 640 containers, capsized off Kochi harbour. The cargo ship, travelling from Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram to Kochi before heading to Thoothukudi, encountered severe conditions that caused it to tilt and begin listing. Although the vessel was scheduled to dock in Kochi by 10pm, it remains adrift and inclined dangerously close to the Kerala coastline.
According to the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, “Based on hypothetical simulations, the spilled oil pollutant can reach the coastal stretch of Alappuzha, Ambalapuzha, Arattupuzha and Karunagappally within 36-48 hours of release. These coastal zones are at risk of contamination and should be given prompt attention to minimise potential environmental impact.”
A distress call prompted immediate action from the ICG’s Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre in Kochi, which deployed a Dornier aircraft for aerial surveillance. The aircraft spotted life rafts with survivors, and rescue operations commenced under global Search and Rescue protocols.
By Saturday evening, 21 crew members—comprising one Russian, two Ukrainians, one Georgian, and 20 Filipinos—were safely evacuated, with nine rescued by MV Han Yi and 12 by ICG ship Arnvesh. The captain, chief engineer, and second engineer remained on board to assist with salvage efforts but were forced to abandon ship as it capsized and sank at 07:50 on Sunday. These three were rescued by the Indian Navy’s INS Sujata.
