Dramatic Rescue at Sea: All 24 Crew Members Saved After Container Ship Overturns Near Kochi

Image credits: X.com/ Indian Coast Guard

A Liberian-flagged container ship,MSC ELSA 3,encountered a serious situation about 38 nautical miles off the coast of Kochi on Saturday. The vessel developed a meaningful list and ultimately capsized, triggering a large-scale rescue and environmental monitoring effort led by the Indian Coast Guard and Navy.The ship had set sail from Vizhinjam port on Friday but began to tilt dangerously at an angle of 26 degrees. A distress signal was sent out around 1:30 AM Saturday, prompting an immediate response that included one Navy ship, two Coast Guard vessels, and a Dornier aircraft.

Out of the 24 crew members aboard, 21 were rescued using liferafts. The remaining three—comprising the captain (a Russian), chief engineer, and second engineer—stayed behind to assist with salvage operations. The crew also included individuals from various countries: 20 Filipinos, two Ukrainians, and one Georgian.

As the vessel listed heavily, several containers fell overboard. Early evaluations suggest that some may contain hazardous materials which could pose environmental threats like oil spills or perilous debris washing ashore.

In light of this incident, Kerala’s State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) issued alerts along the coast. They advised fishermen and locals to steer clear of any drifting containers due to potential chemical hazards or other risks associated with unknown maritime objects.The Indian Coast Guard is actively managing the situation through both aerial surveillance and surface patrols while conducting formal risk assessments. Efforts are underway not only to stabilize MSC ELSA 3 but also to minimize any ecological impact resulting from this mishap.

According to tracking data available for MSC ELSA 3—a container ship measuring approximately 184 meters in length—it has been in service for nearly three decades and has frequently visited Vizhinjam since its registration under its current name in 2015.this incident serves as a reminder of how crucial it is for maritime operations to prioritize safety protocols while navigating busy shipping routes—a lesson echoed across industries worldwide where unexpected challenges can arise at sea or even within urban environments when transporting goods.