Ernakulam, Kerala: The Kerala High Court is all set to hear a petition from the state government demanding Rs 9,531 crore in damages from a ship accident relating to the sinking of the Liberian-flagged container ship, MSC Elsa III, off the Alappuzha coast. The High Court will consider the case on Thursday, July 10.

The government is demanding compensation from the vessel owners, citing significant environmental and economic losses due to the accident. After the accident, several containers had washed ashore which involved debris of the hazardous cargo, including calcium carbide—a chemical that reacts violently with seawater to produce highly flammable acetylene gas.

Recently, the court ordered the conditional arrest of the MSC Akiketa II, a sister ship of the MSC Elsa III, to secure the compensation demand, in response to the state government’s plea.

Read Also: Watch | Containers From Ship Sunk Off Kochi Coast Wash Ashore In Alappuzha, Kollam

The government’s claim of around Rs 9,531 crore in damages includes the cost of pollution control and remediation efforts. According to the authorities, the aftermath of the accident also affected the income of the fishermen, disrupting the livelihoods of the community. The claim also includes compensation for the losses of the fishermen.

The vessel, which is currently within Indian waters, may not be able to leave jurisdiction until the matter is resolved, or appropriate security is furnished.

Read Also: Kerala Declares Liberian Cargo Ship Accident As State Disaster: Here Is Why

A custom official had confirmed to Timeline that approximately 40 tonnes of calcium carbide from 13 containers had sunk, while warning that it could affect marine and coastal life depending on the volume of the chemical that reaches the shore. He, however, noted that if the chemicals do not reach the shore, the sea has the natural ability to cleanse itself.