Daijiworld Media Network – Kollam
Kollam, May 26: Panic gripped parts of Kerala’s southern coastline after several containers from a sunken Liberian cargo ship began washing ashore near Kollam, triggering a massive emergency response. The incident follows the vessel's capsizing early Sunday, which also caused a major oil spill off the Kerala coast.
Coastal police confirmed on Monday that multiple containers were found along Kollam's shoreline, with at least four spotted so far. The exact number of containers that have reached the shore remains unknown, and efforts are underway to assess the situation and mitigate risks. Police personnel have been deployed in full strength across the affected regions to prevent public access.
Officials have issued stern warnings to the public, urging them to stay away from the washed-up containers. "This is a matter of safety. The cargo ship was carrying 13 hazardous consignments out of 640 containers," an official stated, highlighting the potential dangers involved.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), which is spearheading pollution control operations, revealed that the sunken ship had 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil onboard. With the oil slick drifting at a rate of approximately 3 km per hour, environmentalists are raising alarm bells over possible damage to Kerala’s fragile marine ecosystems.
Adding to the risk, authorities disclosed that some containers housed dangerous substances such as calcium carbide, a chemical that reacts violently with seawater, releasing acetylene gas—a highly flammable compound.
The Coast Guard is currently monitoring the movement of the oil slick and deploying necessary measures to contain the spread. “We are actively coordinating with local authorities and environmental experts to prevent large-scale contamination,” an ICG spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has sounded a high alert across coastal districts and is working alongside the Coast Guard and pollution response teams to tackle the crisis.
As recovery and containment operations continue, residents are advised to remain vigilant and report any unfamiliar containers or signs of pollution along the coast.