On the evening of Saturday, May 24, 2025, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) issued an extraordinary alert due to a scare caused by an accident involving the Liberia-flagged container ship MSC ELSA 3, which resulted in the fall of potentially hazardous cargo about 38 nautical miles southwest off Kochi.

In the event that the shipment washed up along the Kerala shore, it warned the public not to approach or touch it.

The 184-meter vessel was scheduled to arrive in Kochi on Saturday, May 24, 2025, after departing the port of Vizhinjam on May 23. Following a 26-degree list of the vessel at approximately 1.25 p.m., the ship’s owner, MSC Ship management, requested immediate help from the authorities, according to a defense message.

According to reports, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has rescued 21 of the 24 crew members, with the remaining three anticipated to join rescue ships. According to sources, the ship operator’s input will be used to determine the kind of cargo that was inside the fallen containers. This is due to the fact that it is known to carry a variety of goods, including potentially hazardous cargo that could be breathed.

The ICG has sent ships and planes to the area to coordinate the rescue efforts. Two ICG ships and one Indian Navy ship are still stationed nearby. To aid with additional evacuation, an ICG Dornier plane dropped more life rafts close to the ship.

The ICG and the Director General of Shipping instructed the ship’s managers to provide the stricken vessel with immediate salvage services. To avoid fatalities and environmental harm, the ICG is keeping a close eye on the situation.

In a remarkable turn of events, at approximately 5:15 p.m., KSDMA member-secretary Shekhar L. Kuriakose released a number of audio snippets alerting the public to potentially hazardous cargo from the ship. So far, six to eight cargo containers have been reported to have fallen from the ship.

A possible oil spill along the shore, most likely between central and northern Kerala, was another concern raised by the notice. Based on the information provided by the ICG, the KSDMA sent out the notice.

In the event that cargo containers are swept ashore, the KSDMA encouraged people to contact the emergency response support system at 112 or the relevant police station. A possible oil spill has also been reported to the Kerala State Pollution Control Board.