All 24 crew members rescued as Liberian container ship sinks off Kerala coast

A Liberian-flagged container vessel MSC ELSA 3 sank approximately 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi, Kerala, following severe flooding today. All 24 crew members were successfully rescued through coordinated efforts by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Indian Navy, according to a press release by Press Information Bureau.

The vessel, en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi, developed a 26-degree starboard list on May 24, prompting a distress call. The ICG's Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre in Kochi initiated a swift response, deploying a Dornier aircraft for aerial surveillance and diverting patrol ships and nearby merchant vessels, including MV Han Yi and MSC Silver 2, to assist. By the evening, 21 crew members, comprising nationals from Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, and the Philippines, were rescued.

Three senior crew members remained onboard to assist with salvage operations. However, the vessel's condition worsened overnight, leading to its capsizing at around 7:50 AM on May 25. The remaining crew members abandoned the ship and were rescued by the Indian Navy's INS Sujata.

MSC ELSA 3 was carrying 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous materials and 12 containing calcium carbide, along with 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil. Given the ecological sensitivity of Kerala's coastline, the ICG has activated full pollution response measures. Aircraft equipped with advanced oil spill detection systems are conducting aerial surveillance, and the ICG ship Saksham, equipped with pollution response equipment, is deployed at the site. As of now, no oil spill has been reported, as per the release.

Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the vessel's instability. The prompt and coordinated response by Indian maritime authorities ensured the safety of all crew members and minimised potential environmental risks.