Vizhinjam cargo ship accident: Residents of northern Kerala coast asked to keep an eye out for lost containers with leak | 5 UPDATES

A cargo ship that left Kerala's Vizhinjam port met with an accident,causing a few containers with "hazardous" substances to fall into the sea. Locals have been advised to keep distance from any container that may beach following the accident. 

 

The mishap reportedly happened on the 'MSC Elsa 3' ship , which was sailing from Vizhinjam to Kochi on Friday evening. The ship is said to have met with the accident about 38 nautical miles from the Kerala shore, Manorama Online said in a report. 

 

Here are five latest updates that have been known so far about the ship accident and leak:

 

1. 'Dangerous' components were stored in the containers that fell into the sea from the ship. Marine Gas Oil (MGO) and Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) have been confirmed to have leaked to the sea following the incident, Manorama Online said quoting official departments of the Kerala government.

 

2. The Coast Guard has warned locals against going near any container that may get beached in the hours to come. If spotted, the police department should be alerted via the 112 helpline number, people have been instructed.

 

3. The ship didn't capsize but tilted to a side, causing the containers to fall into the sea. As many as eight items were lost in the sea although it was not known how the ship tilted. 

 

4. The State Disaster Management Authority is taking stock of the situation and has asked residents to take necessary precautions to avoid the hazardous components. The said the containers are likely to move towards the northern Kerala coast.

 

5. It is reported that the crew of 'MSC Elsa 3'  was 24 strong and 21 of them have been rescued already. Rescue operations are ongoing to bring the rest to the shores at the earliest.

India