• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

As many as 24 crew members onboard a Liberian-flagged container vessel were rescued by the Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy after the ship sank off the Kochi coast. MSC ELSA 3 capsized after departing Vizhinjam port on Saturday, following which a massive rescue operation was launched.

The vessel was carrying 640 containers, including 13 containing hazardous cargo and 12 with calcium carbide, the Indian Coast Guard reported. Additionally, the ship had 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil in its tanks. This has caused a major threat to marine safety. 

ALSO READ: MANUU Collaborates With UNICEF To Host National Media Consultation On Road Safety In Hyderabad 

Indian Coast Guard, in collaboration with the state administration, launched several anti-pollution measures to salvage the damage caused by the incident. The ICG aircraft, equipped with advanced oil spill mapping technology, are conducting an aerial assessment of the affected area. As of now, no oil spill has been reported in the water.  

The Indian Coast Guard received a distress call regarding the incident on Saturday, prompting an immediate response. Rescue teams swiftly sprang into action and successfully evacuated 21 crew members from the vessel. Three crew members remained onboard to support ongoing salvage operations.

Due to the vessel’s tilt, several containers were dislodged and fell into the sea.

On Sunday, the situation worsened as the vessel capsized following flooding in one of its holds. INS Sujata responded promptly and rescued the remaining three crew members.

ALSO READ: Congress Seeks PM Modi’s Apology Over BJP MP’s ‘Tourists Should Have Fought Terrorists' Remark On Pahalgam Attack 

A comprehensive risk assessment is currently underway, and state authorities are being regularly updated on the situation.

Also In News