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India scrambles to contain an oil spill after a vessel sinks near Kerala coast

Kerala authorities in southern India were scrambling on Monday to contain a spill after a container ship sank and leaked fuel into the Arabian Sea, as well as releasing 100 containers of cargo into the water.

Officials said that the Liberia flagged MSC ELSA3 was traveling from Vizhinjam, on India's southernmost tip, to Kochi, when it capsized on Saturday about 38 nautical mile off Kerala. All 24 crew members were rescued.

Kerala's chief minister's statement said that the entire ship was "submerged" since Sunday, without giving any further details on the incident.

The Coast Guard is blocking the oil with two vessels. The statement also said that a Dornier aircraft was being used to spray powder oil-destroying oil on the oily slick.

The Indian Coast Guard said that the vessel carried 640 containers. Of these, 13 contained "hazardous goods" and 12 contained calcium carbide. However, it did not reveal the contents of those containers which fell into the ocean.

The vessel's owner, MSC Shipmanagement of Cyprus, has not responded to an immediate request for comment.

Kerala's coast is on high alert. Local coastal bodies have been instructed not to touch the containers, which started washing up on beaches Monday. Fishermen are also advised not to enter the sea.

Authorities in the Kollam region of the state have urged people to relocate to safer areas.

Oil spills can have a wide range of effects. They could affect everything from marine ecosystems and local fishing industries.

In 2017, a collision between a BW LPG ship and a local vessel carrying heavy fuel oil led to a similar spillage of oil near Chennai. This oil spill damaged aquatic life and adversely affected the livelihoods of thousands of fisherman. Reporting by Jose Devasia and Chris Thomas, Bengaluru. Writing by Sakshi dayal. Editing by Kate Mayberry.

(source: Reuters)