MSC Elsa 3 shipwreck: Kerala Police register case

Kerala Police register case against MSC Elsa 3 owner for reckless handling of dangerous goods causing environmental and economic damage.

After dilly-dallying for over two weeks, the Kerala Police on Wednesday (June 11, 2025) registered a case against the owner of the Liberia-flagged MSC Elsa 3 that sank off the coast of Kerala with dangerous goods onboard on May 25. The case was registered against the owner of the MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) Elsa 3, the ship master, the crew, and others based on a complaint filed by C. Shamji, a native of Alappuzha.

The first information report (FIR) registered in the Fort Kochi Coastal police station said the ship carrying dangerous goods, including explosives, was handled by the crew recklessly, leading to the capsize of the ship near Thottappally off the coast of Alappuzha, posing a threat to human life and property. The dangerous goods that spilled onto the sea from the ship, including hazardous plastics, led to severe environmental issues, affecting the fishing sector along the coast of Kerala.

The fishermen and the allied sectors had to incur huge losses due to the incident, apart from the floating containers posing a threat to the vessels and ships navigating through the shipping channel and nearby area, the FIR said.

The case was registered under Sections 282, 285, 286, 287, 288, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Naya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, on charges including rash navigation of a vessel, obstruction in a public way or line of navigation, and negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substances and fire or combustibles.