Container Ship MSC Elsa 3 Sinks Near Kochi; 24 Crew Rescued, Oil Spill Operations Underway

News Flash

25 May

Indian Navy and Coast Guard Rescue All Crew as 184-Metre Liberian Ship Capsizes; Oil Spill Threat Looms

Kochi: The Liberian-flagged container vessel MSC Elsa 3 sank 38 nautical miles off the Kochi coast early Sunday morning, despite round-the-clock coordinated rescue efforts by the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and the shipping company.

The 184-meter-long ship, built in 1997, began listing sharply to starboard by 26 degrees on Saturday, prompting immediate distress calls. The Indian Coast Guard received the alert at 1:25 pm, after which INS Sujata, ICGS Arnvesh, and ICGS Saksham were rushed for rescue and support.

Crew Rescue: A Near-Miraculous Effort

There were 24 crew members on board. By Saturday evening, 21 had been successfully evacuated. The remaining three — the captain, chief engineer, and second engineer — were rescued by the Navy this morning as the vessel fully capsized.

• 21 rescued crew are currently safe at the Coast Guard headquarters in Kochi.

• 3 key crew members are being brought to the Kochi Naval Base.

Environmental Risk: Oil Spill and Floating Containers

As the MSC Elsa 3 sank completely, oil spillage was reported in the surrounding waters. The Coast Guard ship ICGS Saksham has begun containment operations, working to limit environmental damage amid the ongoing southwest monsoon.

According to defense sources:

• The vessel carried 148 cargo containers.

• Some may have dislodged and are at risk of drifting towards the Kerala coast, increasing the hazard to marine and coastal ecosystems.

❝We are monitoring the oil spill and container drift. State authorities have been alerted.❞
— Coast Guard Official, Kochi

Technical Rescue Hampered by Rough Weather

A vessel carrying technical experts from the parent company was deployed to attempt salvage or cargo relocation. However, monsoon-induced rough seas and heavy listing made it impossible to approach the stricken ship before it sank.

❝Another ship from the parent company is now on-site for follow-up operations,❞
— Defence spokesperson Atul Pillai

What’s Next:

• Oil containment operations are underway.

• Kerala’s Disaster Management Authority has been put on alert.

• The Coast Guard is monitoring coastal drift patterns for any floating cargo that may threaten coastal towns.

• A full investigation is expected to be initiated soon to determine the cause of the incident and evaluate maritime safety measures.

Quick Facts: MSC Elsa 3

• Flag: Liberia

• Length: 184 metres

• Width: 25.3 metres

• Year built: 1997

• Cargo: 148 containers

• Crew on board: 24 (All rescued)