‘No issue in eating fish now’; only 365 tonnes of cargo on sunken ship, says KUFOS

KOCHI: Professor Dr V N Sanjeevan of the Kerala University of Maritime and Fisheries Studies (KUFOS) said there is no need for a concern on the cargo ship that listed off on the Kochi coast. Prof Sanjeevan clarified that only 365 tonnes of goods were on the sunken ship and that the Kerala government has taken all necessary measures soon after the incident.

‘The coast guard has taken measures to prevent the spread of gas. Fishing has been banned in the areas. The only concern is on the containers containing calcium carbide, which can explode. When mixed with water, acetylene gas is formed and there is a possibility of explosion. Presently there are no problems in eating fish. Only precautions are needed. KUFOS is conducting a detailed study on the issue,' said the professor.

Meantime, six containers from the cargo ship washed ashore on the coasts of Thiruvananthapuram. They were found on Varkala Papanasam, Manthara and Odayam beaches and on Anchuthengu 1st bridge, Valiyaveli and Thumba. Plastic granules, sacks and bundles of cotton binds had washed ashore on the beaches of Varkala, Anchuthengu, Valiyaveli, Kaikkara, Mampalli, Mannarkkulam, Valiyapally, Poonthura and Muthalappozhi. The plastic granules have spread along the coast. The ship MSC Elsa 3 sailing from Vizhinjam to Kochi, met with an accident on May 24.