A cargo ship (MSC Elsa 3) flying the Liberian flag capsized off the Kerala coast, and at least 9 containers have washed up on beaches in Kollam and Alappuzha.
The Kerala govt. has declared a high alert along the coastline due to the risk of hazardous chemical leaks and a possible oil spill.
The incident is classified as a Tier 2 maritime event, requiring national-level coordination under the Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan.
The ship was carrying 13 containers of calcium carbide, a chemical that reacts dangerously with water, producing flammable gas (acetylene) and calcium hydroxide.
The Coast Guard has been spraying dispersants from the air to break down the oil slick, and three vessels are using infrared cameras to track the spill.
The government warned that more containers may wash ashore in Alappuzha, Kollam, Ernakulam, and Thiruvananthapuram districts.
People are urged to stay at least 200 meters away from any containers and to report sightings by calling emergency number.
Fishing is banned within a 20-nautical mile radius of the shipwreck for safety and environmental reasons.
The Mercantile Marine Department has issued a pollution liability warning to the ship’s owners under Indian law.
A firm named T&T Salvage has been appointed to handle container recovery, oil removal, and cleanup efforts.
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