Authorities in Kerala, India, have declared a coastal alert following the sinking of a Liberian-flagged cargo ship carrying oil and hazardous materials off the state's coast in the Arabian Sea.

The vessel, MSC ELSA 3, began tilting dangerously about 38 nautical miles from Kochi while en route from Vizhinjam port. Early Sunday morning, it capsized due to flooding in one of its compartments.

All 24 crew members were safely rescued by Indian Navy personnel after a prolonged operation. However, the ship was carrying 640 containers, some of which are now drifting toward the shoreline. Among them are 13 containers of hazardous substances and 12 containing calcium carbide — a chemical that reacts with seawater to release flammable gas. Additionally, the ship’s tanks held over 84 metric tonnes of diesel and more than 367 metric tonnes of furnace oil.

The accident has sparked serious concerns over potential environmental damage. The coastal stretch near Kochi is known for its rich marine biodiversity and serves as a major tourist destination. Authorities fear that leaked oil, fuel, and chemicals could pose health risks to residents and threaten marine ecosystems.

In response, pollution control efforts have been stepped up. The Indian Coast Guard has deployed a ship equipped with pollution control tools and dispatched an aircraft fitted with an oil spill detection system to monitor the affected area.

Residents have been advised to avoid any containers or slicks that wash ashore, and fishermen have been warned to steer clear of the sunken vessel. Evacuation measures have been initiated in areas where drifting containers pose a threat.

A statement from the Kerala Chief Minister’s office emphasized the gravity of the situation: “As the oil slick can reach anywhere along the Kerala coast, an alert has been sounded across the coastal belt.”

Efforts to contain the spill continue as authorities race to minimize the environmental impact of the incident.