Liberian vessel MSC ELSA 3, with 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous cargo and 12 containing calcium carbide, sank off the Kochi coast on Sunday due to flooding, the India Ministry of Defence confirmed.

The Indian Ministry said 24 crew members on board were rescued from the vessel.

The vessel were loaded with 84.44 MT of diesel and 367.1 MT of furnace oil.

"Given the sensitive marine ecosystem along the Kerala’s coast, ICG has activated full pollution response preparedness," the statement said.

The Ministry said an ICG aircraft equipped with advanced oil spill detection systems is conducting aerial surveillance, and ICG ship Saksham, carrying pollution response equipment, remains deployed at the site.

"So far, no oil spill has been reported," the Ministry confirmed.

The Ministry said: "The emergency began on May 24, when MSC ELSA 3, en-route from Vizhinjam to Kochi, developed a 26-degree starboard list approximately 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi."

"The vessel lost stability, prompting a distress call," the Ministry further said.

ICG’s Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) in Kochi immediately launched a coordinated response. An ICG Dornier aircraft was deployed for aerial surveillance, spotting two liferafts with survivors. ICG patrol ships and merchant vessels MV Han Yi and MSC Silver 2 were also diverted to assist, in line with global Search and Rescue protocols.

By late evening, 21 of the 24 crew, including nationals from Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, and the Philippines, had been rescued.

Three senior crew members remained onboard to assist with salvage arrangements.

However, the vessel’s condition deteriorated overnight and it capsized on May 25, 2025.

"The three crew members were forced to abandon the ship and were rescued by INS Sujata. The reason for the list is yet to be ascertained," the statement said.