Oil spill spotted after cargo ship sinks off Kerala coast

By Mihir Mishra and Rajesh Kumar Singh

Indian agencies have spotted an oil spillage from a container ship that capsized off coast in Kerala early Sunday, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Early monsoon rains are complicating efforts to assess the extent of the spill, the people said, asking not to be named as they’re not authorised to speak to the press.

The Liberian-flagged MSC ELSA 3 was carrying hazardous cargo in 13 containers, 12 containers of calcium carbide as well as hundreds of tons of fuel in its tanks, the Indian coast guard said in a statement Sunday, adding that all 24 members of the crew have been rescued. The crew included one Russian, two Ukrainian, one Georgian and 20 Philippines nationals, the organisation said.

The coast guard is currently monitoring potential impacts on the affected area and its rich biodiversity, which makes it one of India’s most popular touristic destinations. Aircrafts with oil spill mapping technology are assessing the situation and a ship with pollution response equipment has been positioned at the site, according to the organisation.

The vessel, which was carrying 84 tons of diesel and 367 tons of furnace oil, sank due to ‘flooding’, the coast guard said in a statement.

Kerala declared a state-wide emergency Sunday, warning coastal districts of potential environmental damage, the Times of India reported. It asked the public and fisherfolks to stay ashore.