Indian Coast Guard Rescues 21 Crew Members from Liberian Vessel Off Kochi; Salvage Operations Underway

The Indian Coast Guard has successfully rescued 21 of the 24 crew members from the Liberia-flagged container vessel MSC ELSA 3, after the ship issued a distress call while sailing in the Arabian Sea, approximately 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi.

The 184-metre-long vessel had departed Vizhinjam Port in Kerala on May 23 and was scheduled to arrive at Kochi Port on May 24. However, around 1:25 pm on Saturday, the ship developed a critical 26-degree tilt, endangering the crew and raising concerns over potential environmental hazards due to the risk of containers falling overboard.

Responding to the emergency, the Indian Coast Guard swiftly deployed ships and aircraft to the location. Aerial support teams dropped additional life rafts near the distressed vessel to assist in the evacuation. Twenty-one crew members were safely rescued, while three — the Captain, Chief Engineer, and Second Engineer — remain onboard to oversee ongoing salvage efforts.

Some containers have already been lost to the sea due to the vessel's tilt. A risk assessment is currently in progress, and the Directorate General of Shipping, in coordination with the Coast Guard, has instructed the vessel’s managers to initiate urgent salvage operations to prevent further environmental impact.

ICG ships and aircraft remain on high alert, monitoring the situation and working to stabilise the vessel, ensure the safety of remaining crew members, and prevent loss of cargo or ecological damage.