Govt declares ship accident as state disaster considering environmental impact

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has declared the ship accident in Kochi as state disaster. The action is considering the environmental and social impact. The revenue secretary has issued an order in this regard. With this, action can be taken as per the disaster management act. Funds can also be sought from the central government.

The MSC Elsa 3 ship, which left Vizhinjam with more than 600 containers, listed off on the Kochi coast on Saturday. It completely sank on Sunday. The 24 crew members on board were rescued by the coast guard and navy. The containers that sunk from the ship washed ashore on the coasts of Alappuzha, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram. All 50 containers that washed ashore were retrieved. They did not contain any hazardous chemicals.

Most of the containers that were washed ashore were empty containers. Plastic pellets have fallen into the sea. Traces of oil have also been mixed in the sea area where the accident occurred. It is under control. The ship sank just 14.6 nautical miles (27 km) from the Alappuzha Thottapally spillway, raising a huge environmental scare on the southern coast of the state.