Container vessel carrying ‘hazardous cargo' sinks off Kerala coast, alert issued in state
All 24 crew members on board the vessel were rescued, it added.
'The vessel, en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi, was carrying 640 containers (including 13 hazardous scargo and 12 calcium carbide containers), along with 84.44 MT diesel and 367.1 MT furnace oil,' the Ministry of Defence said. The Coast Guard was assessing the situation, it added.
'Presently, no oil spill has been reported,' the ministry said, adding that the reason for the incident was yet to be ascertained.
However, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority on Saturday issued an alert to the public to keep away from objects that may drift towards the coast, The Indian Express reported.
On Saturday, the Indian Coast Guard said that it had received a distress alert about the vessel. In a post on X, it said that the vessel had departed from Vizhinjam port on Friday and was scheduled to reach Kochi the next day.
The vessel capsized rapidly in the early hours of Sunday 'reportedly due to flooding in one of the holds', the Coast Guard said.
'ICG [Indian Coast Guard] has activated comprehensive pollution response preparedness and working in close coordination with state administration to address all possible scenarios,' it added.
A defence spokesperson in Kochi said that 21 of the 24 crew members on board the vessel were rescued on Saturday and the remaining three were rescued on Sunday, The Indian Express reported.
Shekhar Kuriakose, member secretary of the State Disaster Management Authority, told The Indian Express that the public had been told not to go near objects that were suspected to be from the sunken ship and were washed ashore.
'They should keep at least 200 metres away from such objects containing dangerous material,' the newspaper quoted Kuriakose as saying. 'The Navy has informed that one km per hour is the approximate speed at which the containers will drift. The coastal regions of Ernakulam and Alappuzha have the highest possibility of getting the containers washed ashore.'
After the vessel tilted on Saturday, the parent firm of the sinking ship, which had also informed the Indian Coast Guard about the situation, brought another vessel to the area to assist in the rescue, according to The Indian Express.
Three crew members remained onboard the tilting ship as per instructions from the company.
However, on Sunday, the ship started submerging rapidly and more containers fell into the sea, the newspaper reported. The three crew members were subsequently rescued and taken onboard by INS Sujata.
A Liberian-flagged container vessel MSC ELSA 3 sank off the coast of Kochi around 0750 hrs on 25 May after developing a 26° starboard list. All crew members were safely rescued: 21 by the @IndiaCoastGuard and 03 by INS Sujata.
The vessel, en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi, was… pic.twitter.com/s3Pj1kujHZ
— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) May 25, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
23 days later, tanker still hangs on Mahi bridge
Vadodara: Twenty-three days after the Gambhira bridge over the Mahi river collapsed, killing 21 people, the tanker precariously hanging off the broken slab is about to be extricated, with its front to be lifted with high-pressure air bags. On Friday, the operation to salvage the tanker was launched. After directives from chief minister Bhupendra Patel, the Anand district administration roped in the Porbandar-based Marine Emergency Response Centre (MERC), which in turn called in experts from Singapore. MERC was recently engaged by the Coast Guard to salvage the Singapore-flagged container vessel Wan Hai 503, which had caught fire off the coast of Kozhikode in Kerala on June 8 while en route from Colombo to Mumbai with more than 800 tonnes of a hazardous mix of industrial chemicals. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad "A team of 20 from MERC is camping in Bamangam for the operation, which is expected to take a couple of days," said Anand district collector Praveen Chaudhary. "MERC has expertise in salvaging cargo ships, with the weights involved being over 500 tonnes. It will use balloon technology to salvage the 12-tonne tanker," he said. Flexible high-pressure airbags will be positioned under the tanker and inflated to lift the front of the vehicle, which has been dangling dangerously facing the river 50 feet below. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like NRIs Living In Ukraine Are Eligible For INR 2 Lakh Monthly Pension. Invest 18K/Month Get Offer Undo "On Friday, the MERC team finished rigging work on the broken slab," said Chaudhary. Sources said the CM has emphasized that the operation be carried out with "zero incident". They added that MERC is carrying out this operation pro bono. Officials said that in the final stage, there will be no human movement on the bridge structure, for which the entire site has been cordoned off. On why the tanker is not pulled out, Chaudhary said it was simply not an option. "From an engineering point of view, Pier 5 on which the tanker is stationed is cantilevered, which means it is a rigid structure that extends horizontally and is unsupported at one end. The work is tricky as Pier 5 is not taking the load and the tanker is tilted towards the river," he said. The tanker, which had been carrying hydrochloric acid, was emptied in Ahmedabad and was headed back to Dahej for a refill. When the bridge collapsed, the tanker driver jumped out and managed to clamber onto a stable part of the bridge. He saw many vehicles and people plunging into the river. The tanker belongs to Shivam Roadlines in Ankleshwar. Its owner has made representations for speedy recovery of his vehicle, for which he pays a monthly EMI of about Rs 1 lakh. "I have spoken to the state-level bankers committee requesting that his EMIs be deferred for four months," said Chaudhary.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
Mystery of African Mahogany G20 sapling at Delhi's Nehru Park solved — it's a substitute
The tree currently standing at the site marked for Nigeria in the G20 ceremonial plantation spot at Delhi's Nehru Park is a substitute sapling — and not the original African Mahogany — government sources told The Indian Express. According to sources, the original sapling, gifted by Nigeria during India's G20 presidency in 2023, failed after being planted. Following this, sources said, the Jamun, a common Indian species, was temporarily planted to maintain the aesthetics of the ceremonial zone. Sources added that a replacement African Mahogany sapling has now been sourced and is expected to arrive in the national capital shortly. It will be planted at the designated site, replacing the current one. The clarification comes days after a post on social media platform X, by citizen-led handle DelhiTrees, flagged the tree labelled as African Mahogany as resembling a Jamun. The post received over 28 lakh views, prompting questions about how the mismatch occurred and whether due diligence was carried out. The Indian Express on July 31 had reported that officials in the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), which facilitated logistics for the plantation event, said that confirmation of plant species would require expert verification and that they had referred the matter to the Ministry of External Affairs, which had coordinated the drive. The ceremonial plantation, which took place in September 2023, involved planting live saplings received as gifts from G20 member countries and invited international organisations. As per government sources, some of these plants were sent to India by participating countries, while others were locally procured in mutual consultation. The selection of species was made with expert guidance to increase the survivability of saplings in Indian conditions. For plants brought from abroad, sources said, the required quarantine period was completed at the ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) in Pusa, Delhi, before plantation. Following the Summit, the ambassadors and representatives from each country or organisation planted their respective saplings at a designated area in Nehru Park, which had been prepared in advance by horticulture officials. Sources said it was anticipated that some saplings might not survive after being planted in a new climate. To prepare for this, alternate saplings of local Indian varieties, such as mango or jamun, had been identified and kept ready. These were to be used in case of any losses, until the original species could be sourced again. According to the sources, the saplings presented by South Korea and South Africa also did not survive post-plantation. This, they said, was within expected parameters. In such cases, embassies were approached to provide suitable replacements — either from their own country or procured locally with their approval. In the interim, substitute Indian tree saplings were planted to keep the plantation site visually consistent. The South Korean Embassy has already provided a replacement of the original species, and that tree was replanted before the onset of the monsoon, sources said. The South African High Commission is also in the process of securing its replacement sapling, which will be planted once available. The G20 ceremonial plantation featured 17 trees representing participating countries and organisations, selected for their symbolism and environmental significance. These included Olive trees from Turkey, Spain and Italy; Real Yellowwood from South Africa; Silver Tree from South Korea; Date Palm from Egypt and Saudi Arabia; Teak from Indonesia; Camphor Laurel from China; and the Sausage Tree and Red Frangipani from the African Union.
India Today
2 days ago
- India Today
Important days in August 2025: Full list of national and international events
August is the eighth month of the year and brings with it many special days that are celebrated in India and around the world. These days include festivals, historical anniversaries, cultural events, and global awareness campaigns. Whether it's remembering national heroes, honouring traditions, or spreading awareness about global causes, every week in August has something important to list of important days in August 2025 can help students, teachers, and exam aspirants stay updated. It can also serve as a helpful reminder for anyone who wants to participate in social, cultural, or environmental a detailed look at the significant days and dates to watch out for this August.1 August – National Mountain Climbing Day is celebrated to honour two young climbers who scaled the 46 High Peaks of the Adirondack Mountains.1 August – Yorkshire Day marks the celebration of history and heritage in the UK's largest historic county.1 August – World Lung Cancer Day spreads awareness about lung cancer risks, early detection, and support.1 August – World Wide Web Day honours the invention of the internet and the man behind it, Tim Berners-Lee.3 August – National Watermelon Day celebrates the refreshing summer fruit enjoyed across the US.3 August – Cloves Syndrome Awareness Day raises awareness about a rare genetic condition affecting growth and blood vessels.3 August – Friendship Day is observed on the first Sunday of August to celebrate bonds of friendship.4 August – Assistance Dog Day recognises specially trained dogs that help people with disabilities.4 August – U.S. Coast Guard Day commemorates the founding of the Coast Guard in 1790.6 August – Hiroshima Day remembers the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945.7 August – National Handloom Day celebrates the handloom industry and its weavers in India.8 August – Quit India Movement Day recalls Mahatma Gandhi's historic 1942 call for British withdrawal.9 August – Nagasaki Day marks the atomic bombing of Nagasaki three days after Hiroshima.9 August – Rakshabandhan is a Hindu festival that celebrates the protective bond between siblings.9 August – International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples promotes the rights and cultures of indigenous communities.9 August – National Book Lover's Day encourages reading and appreciation of books.9 August – World Sanskrit Day honours the ancient and classical Indian language, Sanskrit.9 August – Narali Purnima is a coastal festival in Maharashtra where coconuts are offered to the sea for protection.10 August – World Lion Day spreads awareness about the importance of lion conservation.10 August – World Biofuel Day highlights the role of renewable fuels in reducing dependence on fossil fuels.12 August – International Youth Day promotes youth development and active participation in society.12 August – World Elephant Day calls for global efforts to protect and conserve elephants.13 August – International Lefthanders Day acknowledges the uniqueness and challenges of left-handed individuals.13 August – World Organ Donation Day promotes the importance of saving lives through organ donation.14 August – Youm-e-Azadi marks Pakistan's Independence Day from British rule in 1947.15 August – National Mourning Day in Bangladesh honours the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.15 August – Independence Day in India celebrates the country's freedom from British colonial rule.15 August – Day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary commemorates the Christian belief of Mary's ascension to heaven.16 August – Bennington Battle Day remembers a key battle during the American Revolution.17 August – Indonesian Independence Day celebrates the nation's liberation from Dutch rule in 1945.17 August – Gabon Independence Day marks the country's independence from France in 1960.17 August – Afghanistan Independence Day commemorates the 1919 treaty that ended British control over Afghan foreign affairs.19 August – World Photography Day recognises the art, history, and science of photography.19 August – World Humanitarian Day pays tribute to humanitarian workers and their efforts in crisis zones.19 August – Sanskrit Diwas promotes the preservation and use of the Sanskrit language.20 August – World Mosquito Day marks the discovery that mosquitoes transmit malaria.20 August – Sadbhavna Diwas honours former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and promotes harmony and goodwill.20 August – Indian Akshay Urja Day spreads awareness about renewable energy in India.23 August – International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition reflects on the legacy of slavery.23 August – European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism remembers victims of totalitarian regimes.23 August – ISRO Day marks the successful moon landing by Chandrayaan-3 on the lunar South Pole.26 August – Women's Equality Day celebrates the granting of voting rights to women in the United States.26 August – International Dog Day promotes adoption and awareness of the welfare of dogs.26 August – Mother Teresa Anniversary honours the birth of the Nobel Peace Prize winner known for her humanitarian work.26 August – Hartalika Teej is a fasting festival observed by women for marital bliss and devotion to Goddess Parvati.26–27 August – Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha with prayers, processions, and sweets.29 August – National Sports Day in India celebrates the birthday of legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand.30 August – Small Industry Day supports and recognises the contribution of small-scale industries in economic growth.31 August – Hari Merdeka marks Malaysia's National Day, celebrating its independence from colonial important days in August 2025 provide a unique opportunity to celebrate culture, history, achievements, and shared global concerns throughout the month.- Ends
