Container ship tilts near Kochi coast, rescue operation launched

To facilitate evacuation, ICG Dornier aircraft has dropped additional liferafts near the ship, which counts a Russian Master, 20 Filipinos, two Ukrainians, and one Georgian national as its crew.

The ship departed Kerala's Vizhinjam Port on May 23 and was scheduled to reach Kochi on Saturday, but reported a 26-degree list around 1:25 pm. (Source: Special Arrangement)

A Liberian-flagged container vessel MSC ELSA 3 titled 38 nautical miles off the Kochi coast on Saturday, leading to many containers falling off into the sea. Subsequently, Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has issued an alert across the state coast after the containers with very low sulfur fuel are likely to get washed ashore.

The ship had departed Vizhinjam port on Friday and was slated to call on Kochi port on Saturday.

Defence spokesman in Kochi said that the Indian Navy and coast guard, in a joint mission, rescued 21 out of 24 crew onboard the ship. Three crew members are still in the ship. Of the crew, the master is from Russia, 20 others from the Philippines, two from Ukraine and one from Georgia.

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The spokesperson said they got a distress call on Saturday at around 1.30 from the management of the ship seeking help, as their ship had developed a list (tilt) of 26 degrees. One Indian Navy ship, two coast guard ships and one Dornier aircraft were pressed into the operation.

KSDMA member secretary Dr Shekhar Kuriakose said people along the coast and fishermen were asked not to touch the containers that are likely to get washed ashore. “There is every chance for these containers to reach the Kerala coast. The coast guard has informed us that people should keep away from such objects. There are also chances of oil slick developing in certain areas,” he said.

The developing situation is being monitored closely by the coast guard to prevent loss of life and damage to the environment.

Data on MSC ELSA 3 shows that the 184 meter-long cargo ship is 28-year-old and has called on Vizhinjam port five times in this month. The vessel was registered as MSC ELSA in 2015.

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