Container ship MSC ELSA 3 sinks off India, all 24 crew rescued safely

MSC ELSA 3 sinks (Source: Indian Coast Guard)

The Liberian-flagged container ship MSC ELSA 3 sank off Kochi, India, after listing severely about 38 nautical miles southwest of the port. The incident began when the ship, which departed from Vizhinjam on May 23, reported a 26-degree list while en route to Kochi.

In the initial rescue operation, the Indian Coast Guard successfully evacuated 21 crew members, while the captain, chief engineer and second engineer remained on board to assist in the planned salvage operation. However, in the early morning of 25 May, one of the ship's cargo holds quickly flooded, causing the ship to capsize. The remaining three crew members were later rescued safely by the Indian Navy's INS Sujata.

The Indian Coast Guard confirmed: "All 24 crew members on board the Liberian-flagged container ship MSC ELSA 3 were rescued safely, of whom 21 were rescued by the Indian Coast Guard and three by the Indian Navy's INS Sujata."
 

MSC ELSA 3 sinks (Source: Indian Coast Guard)

At the time of the incident, the ship was carrying 640 containers, of which 13 contained dangerous goods and 12 contained calcium carbide. In addition, the ship's tanks contained 84.44 tonnes of diesel oil and 367.1 tonnes of residual fuel oil.

Environmental monitoring operations are currently underway, with Indian Coast Guard aircraft equipped with advanced oil spill mapping technology conducting aerial surveys. As per the latest update, no oil spill has been reported.

The Indian Coast Guard continues to work closely with the state authorities to address potential environmental impacts and maintain maritime safety in the area.

Container falls into the sea from MSC ELSA 3 (Source: Indian Coast Guard)
 

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Source: Phaata.com (According to gCaptain)

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