All 24 crew members aboard the Liberia-flagged container ship MSC ELSA 3 (IMO No. 9123221) were rescued safely after the vessel sank off the coast of Kochi due to flooding.
The incident occurred around 7:50 AM on May 24, 2025, prompting a swift response from Indian authorities. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) rescued 21 crew members, while the Indian Navy’s INS Sujata picked up the remaining three. All crew members originating from Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, and the Philippines are reported to be safe.
The Indian Coast Guard is actively monitoring the area for potential oil or chemical spills. “We are fully geared up to respond to any emerging situation,” an ICG spokesperson stated.
The Ministry of Defense said, the vessel was carrying 640 containers at the time of sinking, including 13 containing hazardous materials and 12 loaded with calcium carbide.
The cause of the flooding remains under investigation, while authorities continue surveillance and environmental response efforts in the area.
According to The Times of India newspaper, the situation remains under observation as rescue and environmental response operations continue.
