A Liberian-flagged cargo ship en route from Vizhinjam in Trivandrum to Kochi met with an accident in the Arabian Sea off the Kerala coast on Saturday, May 24, resulting in containers carrying hazardous substances falling into the sea. The vessel was later scheduled to continue to Thoothukudi.
As per reports, the maritime accident occurred due to rough sea conditions caused by the onset of the southwest monsoon. The ship was expected to dock at Kochi by 10 pm on Saturday but is currently seen listing and lying tilted in the sea, close to the Kerala coast.
There were reportedly between 22 and 24 crew members on board at the time of the accident. Of them, nine crew members managed to escape using life jackets, the Navy said. Rescue efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining crew, with life-saving equipment airdropped from a helicopter onto the vessel to assist.
In light of the situation, authorities have issued a public safety alert urging residents along the coast to report any containers or suspicious materials that may wash ashore. The public has been asked to call the emergency number 112 in case such items are spotted.
The coastal police have begun making announcements via loudspeakers in shoreline areas across Kerala, warning people to stay alert and not to approach any unidentified objects that may drift to shore.
This is a developing story