Cargo Ship Carrying Hazardous Materials Sinks off India’s Coast, Crew Rescued Unharmed

A serious maritime incident occurred on Saturday, May 24, off the coast of Kerala in southern India. The MSC ELSA 3, a 184-meter-long Liberian-flagged container ship, sank approximately 70 kilometers from shore while sailing between the ports of Vizhinjam and Kochi. Onboard were 640 containers, including several carrying materials classified as “hazardous” by Indian authorities.

Swift Rescue Operation

The distress signal was sent on Saturday, prompting an immediate response from the Indian Navy. Aircraft were deployed and quickly located two life rafts drifting near the sunken vessel. All 24 crew members — nationals of Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, and the Philippines — were rescued safely.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Indian Ministry of Defence confirmed the sinking and detailed that 13 containers aboard were carrying hazardous goods, although the exact nature of these substances was not disclosed. Additionally, 12 containers held calcium carbide, a chemical used in fertilizer production and various industrial processes, such as acetylene generation and steel manufacturing.

Environmental Concerns Under Watch

The vessel was also carrying around 370 tonnes of fuel and oil, raising concerns about potential marine pollution. So far, authorities report no signs of leakage, but active monitoring of the area is ongoing to prevent any environmental damage.

This incident raises questions about the nature of the cargo and the ship’s condition at the time of the accident. An investigation is expected to determine whether mechanical failure, human error, or adverse weather conditions played a role.