Kerala declares Liberian shipwreck a state-specific disaster
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Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government on Thursday declared the wreckage of the Liberian cargo vessel M/s MSC ELSA-3 in the Arabian Sea, located 14.6 nautical miles off the state’s coast, as a state-specific disaster. The announcement followed mounting environmental and economic concerns stemming from the incident.
According to a statement issued by the office of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the vessel, which was carrying over 643 containers, capsized on May 25 near Thottappalli in Alappuzha district. The wreckage has raised alarm over the possibility of an oil spill and the drifting of cargo and debris along Kerala’s coastline.
“The maritime incident has raised serious environmental concerns, including the potential for an oil spill and drifting of debris, including cargo, along Kerala’s coastline. Considering the potentially serious environmental, social, and economic impact of the shipwreck, the Government hereby declares the wreckage of the ship M/s ELSA-3 in the Arabian Sea 14.6 nautical miles off the Kerala coast as a State-Specific Disaster,” the statement read.
The development comes amid growing pressure from fishermen’s associations demanding adequate compensation, fearing long-term damage to marine life and a threat to their livelihoods due to suspected chemical contamination. The state government is now considering legal action against the ship’s owners and is awaiting legal counsel from experts in maritime law to determine the next steps.
Meanwhile, an incident involving containers recovered from the sea unfolded on Thursday, when cargo being prepared for transport from the Kollam coast caught fire. However, emergency services responded swiftly, and the blaze was brought under control without further complications.
The vessel had initially reported listing approximately 38 nautical miles off the Kochi coast before it eventually sank into the Arabian Sea on Sunday morning.
In response to the ecological threat, the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has initiated a scientific study to assess the environmental consequences of the shipwreck. The institute deployed four teams across the coastal regions of Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram. These teams are currently collecting samples of water, sediment, and phytoplankton from 10 designated stations at regular intervals.
CMFRI Director Grinson George stated that the purpose of the study is to evaluate different forms of marine pollution resulting from the incident and to understand the potential impact on marine ecosystems.
With IANS inputs
