The operation to salvage the Liberian-flagged container ship that tilted off the Kochi coast continues on Sunday morning. More containers said to be carrying hazardous cargo have since fallen onto the sea from the vessel.
Authorities have since evacuated the captain and workers of the ship MSC ELSA 3, which is currently 38 nautical miles off the Kochi coast. According to the Indian Navy officials and the Coast Guard, who are carrying out the rescue operations, all crew members onboard have been rescued, except the captain and two others. While the captain is from Russia, 20 others are from the Philippines, two from Ukraine and one from Georgia.
Another vessel has been brought to the site to help salvage the containers and help tow the ship to the shore. The officials believe they can salvage the ship by rectifying the list, the reason why the captain and three other crew members opted to stay on the ship.
Though it is believed that only very few containers have fallen into the sea, Kerala State Disaster Management Authorities (KSDMA) have warned that the drifting cargo may wash up on Kochi and Alappuzha shores likely by Sunday afternoon. It is speculated that the containers held Sulphur-based products but the authorities have not yet specified the exact nature of the cargo. The KSDMA member has warned people along the coast and fishermen were asked not to touch the containers. The authorities are also monitoring the chances of oil slick developing in certain areas.
It was on Saturday afternoon that the authorities got a distress call from the management of the ship seeking help, as their ship had developed a list (tilt) of 26 degrees. Despite the inclement weather, One Indian Navy ship, two Coast Guard ships and one Dornier aircraft were pressed into the operation.