Thiruvananthapuram: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has issued a high alert for Kerala following the discovery of dangerous freight and oil threatening its coastline. This warning was prompted by several hazardous objects detected floating in the Arabian Sea, believed to have fallen from a ship operating in international waters.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) confirmed the presence of these materials, advising coastal residents, fishermen, and tourists to avoid handling any unidentified containers or floating objects. They urged the public to report any sightings of these objects or signs of oil pollution to local authorities immediately. The distressing situation follows an incident involving the cargo ship MSC Elsa 3, which reportedly lost significant quantities of very low sulfur oil (VLSFO) and marine gas oil (MGO) about 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi.
The ICG has heightened maritime surveillance and patrols to monitor the situation, ensuring the safety of the crew and working to mitigate potential environmental damage. Rescue operations are underway, with efforts ongoing to locate the remaining crew members after several were evacuated safely. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to protect the coastline and prevent further risks as the dangerous cargo could wash ashore along various parts of Kerala’s coastline.
