Kerala govt issues high alert along coastline after cargo ship sinks, raising fears of oil spill

Kerala government issues high alert for oil spill after cargo ship sinks, coordinating response measures and ensuring public safety.

The Kerala government has issued a high alert along the State’s coastline after the sinking of the cargo ship MSC ELSA 3 has raised concerns about an extensive oil spill along the coastline.

At an emergency high-level meeting called by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan here on Monday to review the situation and to coordinate response measures, the Mr. Vijayan sought to assure the public that all necessary precautionary and emergency measures were being coordinated through various departments and national agencies.

However, the residents along the coastline and fisherfolk should maintain utmost vigil in the light of the emerging situation.

Mr. Vijayan reiterated that in all emergency response endeavours, the government’s priority will be to ensure public safety, environmental protection and to safeguard the fishing community’s livelihood.

All crew members on board the ship have been rescued.

The vessel, which sank 14.6 nautical miles from the Thottappally spillway, was carrying 643 containers, of which 73 were empty. However, 13 containers were carrying hazardous materials such as calcium carbide, a chemical that can ignite on contact with water. The ship’s fuel has also leaked into the water.

As of Monday morning, nine containers have washed ashore, with four surfacing near Sakthikulangara harbour, three near Chavara and one each at Cheriazheekal and Thrikkunnapuzha in Alappuzha.