Oil Spill Disaster in Arabian Sea Triggers Emergency Response in Kerala
27 May 2025 — Kochi, Kerala
Authorities in India’s southern Kerala state have issued a high-level environmental and public health alert after a cargo ship carrying oil and hazardous chemicals sank off the coast of Kochi in the Arabian Sea. The incident, which occurred early Sunday morning, has sparked fears of ecological damage and health risks in the region’s biodiverse coastal zone, prompting emergency evacuations and a large-scale containment operation.
The vessel, identified as the MSC ELSA 3, was sailing under a Liberian flag and was en route from Vizhinjam port to Kochi when it began tilting dangerously approximately 38 nautical miles from the coast. According to the Indian Coast Guard, the ship eventually capsized due to flooding in one of its compartments, sending hundreds of containers and thousands of litres of fuel into the sea.
“All 24 crew members on board were rescued in a joint operation involving the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard,” a defence spokesperson confirmed. The rescue lasted several hours and was complicated by choppy sea conditions and the risk posed by the ship’s hazardous cargo.
The environmental threat posed by the sunken vessel is grave. The MSC ELSA 3 was carrying 640 containers, including 13 that held hazardous materials and 12 filled with calcium carbide. This compound produces highly flammable acetylene gas when it comes into contact with water. Additionally, the ship had 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil in its tanks, all of which could potentially leak into the surrounding waters.
In a statement released by the Kerala Chief Minister’s office on Monday, officials warned that the oil slick created by the sinking could spread across a broad section of the state’s coastline.
“As the oil slick can reach anywhere along the Kerala coast, an alert has been sounded across the coastal belt,” the statement read. “Residents are advised to avoid touching any containers or oil patches that may wash ashore.”
Authorities have already initiated evacuation measures in areas where containers are drifting toward the coast. There are concerns that the toxic contents of some containers could pose serious health risks if they rupture upon impact with the shore or are handled by uninformed residents.
The coastal stretch where the incident occurred is not only densely populated but also rich in marine biodiversity. It supports a variety of marine species and ecosystems and is a critical zone for both commercial fishing and tourism, two major pillars of the local economy.
Fishermen have been warned not to venture near the site of the shipwreck until further notice. “We understand the economic impact this has, but safety comes first,” said an official from the state’s fisheries department. “The presence of toxic chemicals in the water could be fatal.”
In response to the crisis, the Indian Coast Guard has intensified pollution control efforts. A specialised vessel equipped with pollution control gear has been dispatched to the scene. Additionally, an aircraft with advanced oil spill detection technology is conducting aerial surveys to map the spread of the slick and monitor for further leaks.
“We are doing everything we can to contain the damage,” said a Coast Guard spokesperson. “Booms and skimmers are being deployed, and coordination with environmental agencies is ongoing.”
Environmentalists have called for a thorough investigation into the ship’s seaworthiness and the nature of its cargo. “This incident underscores the urgent need for stricter monitoring of maritime vessels and cargo handling in Indian waters,” said Dr. Aparna Menon, a marine ecologist based in Kochi. “Our coasts are increasingly vulnerable due to heavy shipping traffic and the transport of dangerous goods.”
The Kerala state government has assured the public that it is coordinating with central agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Ministry of Environment, to assess the environmental impact and take corrective actions. An emergency review meeting was held on Monday, and officials indicated that more resources would be mobilized if necessary.
As containment and cleanup efforts continue, the full scope of the disaster—and its long-term environmental and economic implications—remains uncertain. For now, Kerala’s authorities and communities brace for what could be one of the worst maritime pollution incidents the state has faced in recent memory.
