After the Liberian-flagged container vessel MV MSC ELSA 3 sank approximately 15 nautical miles off the coast of Kerala on Sunday, over 100 containers were seen floating in the sea on Monday.
As per the aerial visuals of the site released by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), several containers and a visible spill spread across the water. An area of 2×1 nautical miles was covered by the spill, with a few containers reportedly breaking apart and submerging into the waters.
➡️ Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft remain continuously deployed in response to the marine oil spill off the Kerala coast, actively contributing to containment and mitigation efforts.
➡️ No Oil spill has reached ashore till generation of this update.#WeProtect… https://t.co/pGpGQeQiY9 pic.twitter.com/LCCKthBxX4
— PRO Defence Kochi (@DefencePROkochi) May 26, 2025
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) deployed its vessel Saksham to lead anti-pollution operations, while a Dornier aircraft conducted aerial surveillance and sprayed Oil Spill Dispersant (OSD) over the affected area. Maritime advisories have been issued, cautioning vessels in the vicinity to remain vigilant and navigate carefully due to floating debris and possible hazards, as per the ANI report.
Officials reported that the vessel was carrying 643 containers, including 73 that were empty and 13 that contained hazardous substances such as calcium carbide, a chemical that reacts with water to release highly flammable acetylene gas.
No Containers With Calcium Carbide Have Washed Ashore: Pollution Control Board
Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KPCB) Chairperson Sreekala S stated that, so far, no containers with calcium carbide have washed ashore, and only a light oil sheen has been observed near the site where the Liberian-flagged vessel sank off Kerala’s coast.
Following a high-level review meeting and submission of an official status report to the state government, Sreekala told PTI that adverse sea conditions had hindered ships from spraying dispersants, leading authorities to deploy aircraft for the task instead.
“The waves are four to five metres high, and ships cannot spray the dispersants. If we come across thickened oil, we use jute sacks filled with sawdust to absorb it,” she said.
She added that if oil reaches the coast, an effort to clean the beach will be launched in coordination with the Pollution Control Board and local administration. “The oil-contaminated sand will need to be scooped out and sent to Kerala Enviro Infrastructure Limited, a hazardous waste treatment and disposal facility located at Ambalamugal, Kochi. We have contacted them, and they are ready with equipment and trucks to transport the sand,” she added.
However, she confirmed that no oil presence was found in Kollam or Alappuzha. “We have collected water samples from all these areas,” she also said. “We have no reports of any containers carrying calcium carbide reaching the shores,” she further added.
If any of the containers were to wash ashore, multiple agencies, including the Fire and Rescue Services, Chemical Explosives Department, Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation, and the Department of Factories and Boilers, are fully equipped to handle the situation.
“They have a protocol in place for that. Scientifically, if calcium carbide mixes with water, it can produce acetylene gas and calcium hydroxide. Acetylene is a highly inflammable gas when it comes into contact with water. It cannot be extinguished with water, dust or clay powder is used to douse such fires,” she explained, assuring that all necessary precautions are in place to deal with any potential risks.
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