Exclusive | Chemical Spill Could Harm Coastal Life, Customs Warns (image:x.com/kjeet1705)
Kollam/Alappuzha: Concerns of a major environmental disaster have emerged after the Liberian-flagged container ship, MSC ELSA 3, which carried hazardous chemicals including calcium carbide, sank off the Kochi coast on Sunday. The potential spill of these chemicals from containers is a cause for alarm.
Early on Monday, several containers from the ship washed ashore in the coastal regions of Alappuzha and Kollam districts. As per latest reports, more than 35 containers are on the shore now. There were a total of 640 containers, among them, 73 were empty. Of the remaining, 13 carry hazardous cargo, including 12 that contained calcium carbide—a chemical that reacts violently with seawater to produce highly flammable acetylene gas.
Read also: Containers From Ship Sunk Off Kochi Coast Wash Ashore In Alappuzha, Kollam
A customs official has confirmed that approximately 40 tonnes of calcium carbide from 13 containers had sunk.
When Timeline enquired about the possible location of the sunken cargo, the official stated that it is unpredictable—it could remain near the site where the ship sank or drift in any direction.
“Depending on the volume of the chemical that reaches the shore, it could affect marine and coastal life,” the official said. “If the chemicals do not reach the shore, the sea has the natural ability to cleanse itself.”
However, the situation remains worrisome, the official added, as even a small quantity of the chemical is considered hazardous and must be handled with extreme caution.
Speaking to the media, Kerala Agriculture Minister P. Prasad stated that, due to the potential presence of harmful chemical substances in some containers, the government had taken necessary measures to alert residents in the region. He added that there is no immediate cause for alarm, as customs officials have confirmed that the containers on the shore will be removed today itself.
According to the reports received by the government so far, the containers that have washed ashore do not contain any harmful chemicals. However, as a precaution, all emergency services remain on standby, and the situation is being closely monitored by the authorities. Additionally, the minister cautioned about the containers that have not yet surfaced or washed ashore.
Read also: Exclusive: Inside Information On The Kochi Ship Accident And Its Aftermath
Responding to reports confirming the oil spill, the minister stated that a high-level meeting was convened, following which Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) were constituted. He added that all departments are fully prepared to handle the situation if necessary.
