Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Four days after the Liberian-flagged cargo ship MSC ELSA-3 sank 14.6 nautical miles off the coast of Kerala, causing wreckage from the potential oil spills and the drifting of hazardous debris, including cargo, the Kerala government on May 29, Thursday, declared the mishap a state-specific disaster.

Speaking about the development, Tinku Biswal, Principal Secretary of the State Disaster Management Department, said that the incident posed a potentially serious threat to Kerala’s coast, both environmentally, socially, and economically. As per India’s Ministry of Defence, the ship had 640 containers, of which 46 were washed ashore in south Kerala on Tuesday.

Read Also: Diesel, Furnace Oil, Calcium Carbide Leak Feared As Cargo Ship MSC ELSA 3 Goes Down Off Kerala Coast

Additionally, to the people’s concern, residents have found tiny plastic pellets or nurdles, suspected to be from containers, on the coast of Thiruvananthapuram.

The official order declaring the Kochi coast shipwreck a state disaster noted that the accident heightened environmental risks, including the possibility of oil spills and floating debris along Kerala’s coastline.

The developments have prompted growing concerns over potential dangerous consequences in the affected region. However, the official declaration of the ship’s wreckage as a state disaster allows the State Disaster Management Authority to mobilise resources, including personnel and significant sums of money from the State Disaster Response Fund, for expeditious relief efforts.

The ship that capsized off the coast near Thottappalli in Alappuzha district included containers comprising calcium carbide and organic chemicals, which are capable of causing potential contamination.

Read Also: Watch | Cochin Ship Accident: Containers, Debris Washed Ashore In Valiyazheekkal, Alappuzha

So far, around 50 containers have washed ashore along the coasts of Alappuzha, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram. Debris from the sunken vessel continue to be reported, particularly along the Thiruvananthapuram coast, escalating environmental and public safety concerns.

While some containers have been recovered, many more are still missing and are expected to reach shore in the days to come. Around four ships and two Dornier aircraft have been continuously fighting to contain the oil leak in the region.