The container vessel MSC Elsa 3 sank into the Arabian Sea on Sunday morning, approximately 38 nautical miles off the Kochi coast, despite coordinated efforts by the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and the shipping firm to assist after it reported severe listing.The Coast Guard ship ICGS Saksham launched efforts on Sunday to contain an oil spill from the sunken vessel, which was carrying hazardous cargo among its 148 containers.Rescue OperationsSaturday Evening: 21 of the 24 crew members were rescued by the Navy and Coast Guard as the vessel listed 26 degrees to starboard.Sunday Morning: The remaining three—the captain, chief engineer, and second engineer—were saved by the Navy as the ship began sinking.The 21 crew members are now at the Coast Guard headquarters in Kochi, while the captain and two engineers are being taken to the Kochi Naval Base.Environmental ConcernsThe vessel’s 148 containers, some containing hazardous materials, may drift toward the Kerala coast due to monsoon currents, raising fears of environmental damage.
