Kerala Cargo Spill: Cleanup After Ship Capsizes Near Kochi.

May 26, 2025 – Kochi, Kerala:

A major environmental emergency has gripped Kerala after a cargo ship capsized 38 nautical miles off the Kochi coast. The vessel, MSC ELSA 3, was registered under the Liberian flag. It went down with hundreds of containers on board, including hazardous materials.

Kerala Cargo Spill Triggers Emergency Protocols

The ship began listing on May 24. However, it sank early on May 25 after water flooded one of its holds.

Rescue operations quickly began. Indian Coast Guard saved 21 crew members. INS Sujata, an Indian Navy ship, rescued the remaining 3.

The Kerala cargo spill has forced officials to initiate full-scale oil spill response measures. They deployed rapid action teams along the coastal districts.

Kerala Cargo Spill: Oil and Chemicals Pose Big Risk

The cargo included 640 containers, with 13 carrying hazardous materials. Notably, 12 containers contained calcium carbide, a chemical that reacts with water.

Fuel reserves on board included 84.44 tonnes of diesel and 367.1 tonnes of furnace oil.

About 100 containers fell into the Arabian Sea during the incident. INCOIS warned that any potential oil spill could reach shores within 48 hours.

Kerala Cargo Spill: Fishing Banned Near Kochi

To prevent accidents, the government banned fishing within a 20-nautical-mile radius of the site.

Local authorities warned fishermen to avoid containers or debris floating in the sea. Citizens must stay at least 200 meters away from anything unusual at sea.

Rapid Response Teams have been stationed in Alappuzha, Ernakulam, and Kollam. Their task is to monitor, contain, and clean the spill.

Coast Guard Leads Kerala Cargo Spill Response

Indian Coast Guard ship ICGS Saksham and a Dornier aircraft are scanning the area. Their goal is to assess pollution levels and contain the spread.

Satellite images are also helping track the movement of any oil slick. Emergency crews are ready along the vulnerable shorelines.

Officials say this is one of Kerala’s worst maritime incidents in recent memory. However, no injuries or deaths have been reported so far.

Public Support and International Expertise Expected

Environmental agencies are preparing to work with global oil-spill experts. Talks are underway with the International Maritime Organization.

Meanwhile, volunteers and eco-groups in Kochi have offered to assist with shoreline cleanup operations.

People are also sharing safety tips and live updates on social media platforms to raise awareness.

Kerala Cargo Spill Demands National Attention

The Kerala cargo spill highlights India’s vulnerability to maritime disasters. The state government has declared this a top priority crisis.

With fast response and strict safety enforcement, Kerala hopes to avoid long-term environmental damage.

India is now reviewing cargo protocols to avoid future sea-based disasters.

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