The MSC ELSA 3, a 184-meter Liberia-flagged container ship, sank 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi, India, triggering a significant environmental emergency. Built in 1997, the vessel was en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi when it began listing severely and eventually capsized early Sunday, 14.6 nautical miles from the coast.

The ship was carrying 640 containers, including 13 classified as hazardous and over 450 tonnes of marine fuel. Reports confirm 100+ containers fell into the Arabian Sea, with at least 25 drifting toward coastal districts including Alappuzha, Kollam, Ernakulam, and Thiruvananthapuram.

Residents have found containers washed ashore in Cheriazheekal, Karunagappally, Sakthikulangara, Neendakara, and Arattupuzha. Among the hazardous materials was calcium carbide, triggering coastal emergency alerts.

Authorities have confirmed leakage of 367.1 tonnes of VLSFO and 84.44 tonnes of diesel, intensifying environmental response efforts.