24-lives-saved-as-liberian-ship-sinks-off-kerala-coast

All 24 crew members of the Liberian-flagged container vessel MSC ELSA 3 have been rescued after the ship capsized approximately 38 nautical miles southwest of the Kochi coast in the early hours of Sunday, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has confirmed.

 

The final three seafarers — the Captain, Chief Engineer and Second Engineer — who had remained aboard to facilitate salvage operations, were evacuated by INS Sujata, which joined the rescue mission on Saturday evening.

 

The ICG attributed the incident to severe flooding in one of the ship's holds, which led to the vessel capsizing rapidly. A coordinated response involving the Indian Navy and Coast Guard was launched soon after the vessel's operator, MSC Ship Management, alerted Indian authorities at around 1.25 p.m. on Saturday.

 

@IndiaCoastGuard #MRCC, #Mumbai received a Distress Alert regarding Liberia-flagged container vessel MSC ELSA 3 developing 26° list approx 38 nautical miles southwest of #Kochi. Vessel departed #Vizhinjam Port on 23 May 25, bound for #Kochi with ETA 24 May 25. #ICG is actively… pic.twitter.com/U7SzOBsE9h

— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) May 24, 2025

All 24 crew members ex Liberian-flagged container Vessel MSC ELSA 3 rescued safely, 21 by @IndiaCoastGuard & 03 by @indiannavy Ship Sujata after vessel sank off #Kochi this morning. Vessel was carrying 640 containers, including 13 containing hazardous cargo and 12 with calcium… pic.twitter.com/990qmogVJR

— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) May 25, 2025

"Update as of 0830 hrs on 25 May 25:- In the early hours of 25 May 25, the vessel capsized rapidly reportedly due to flooding in one of the holds. 03 crew remaining onboard abandoned ship and were rescued by INS Sujata, which joined operations last evening. All crew remain safe and ICG is conducting assessment of the situation and issuing advisory to state authorities accordingly. Further updates follows," the Indian Coast Guard stated on X.

 

A Liberian-flagged container vessel sank off the coast of Kochi this morning after developing a 26° starboard list. All crew members were safely rescued - 21 by the Indian Coast Guard and three by INS Sujata.

The vessel, en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi, was carrying 640+ pic.twitter.com/NpnmkkCf9Q

— Guptchar Vibhaag(PMO) Information Directorate (@GuptcharVibhaag) May 25, 2025

 

Also read: Monsoon reaches Kerala, earliest onset in 16 years: IMD

 

Earlier, 21 members had already been brought to safety during the initial phase of the operation. Aircraft were deployed to provide aerial surveillance, while ICG ships maintained their position to coordinate rescue and recovery.

 

The 184-metre-long container ship had sailed from Vizhinjam Port on 23 May and was scheduled to arrive at Kochi on 24 May. After it began listing at sea, the Indian Coast Guard, with support from the Navy, launched a multi-layered operation to save lives and assess environmental risks.

 

The Coast Guard PRO informed that the Indian Navy and Coast Guard remain in the vicinity, monitoring the situation to ascertain the possibility of towing the capsized vessel and to mitigate potential ecological damage.

 

"The Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy are maintaining their positions to monitor the situation of the vessel," the Coast Guard PRO had stated.

 

Authorities continue to assess the site for further action, while advisories are being issued to the Kerala state administration in accordance with maritime safety protocols.