Kerala Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian on Monday informed the Assembly that the investigation into the sinking of the Liberian-flagged vessel MSC Elsa 3 off the state’s coast is progressing under the supervision of the Coastal IG and DIG.
Responding to a Calling Attention motion moved by MLA Antony Raju, Cherian said the Fort Kochi Coastal Police registered a case on June 11 against the ship’s owners, master, and crew under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The minister assured that while studies have found no immediate threat to fish quality due to the fallen cargo, there could be long-term risks to the marine ecosystem and biodiversity.
The government has prioritized rehabilitation, environmental protection, and waste removal. Plastic pellets, cotton bundles, and other debris were collected with the help of volunteers and agencies, while drone surveys were conducted to map waste accumulation and clean affected coasts.
The MSC Elsa 3, carrying 640 containers—including 13 with hazardous cargo and 12 with calcium carbide—sank about 14.6 nautical miles off Thottappally in Alappuzha district on May 25. The ship also had 84.44 MT of diesel and 367.1 MT of furnace oil on board.