Kerala coast on high alert after cargo ship loses hazardous containers in Arabian Sea

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) issued an urgent public warning on Saturday after a cargo ship lost multiple containers in the Arabian Sea, sparking fears of hazardous materials washing up along the Kerala coast.

According to media reports, the containers reportedly fell from a Liberian ship en route to Kochi port. While official confirmation is awaited, visuals showed several containers floating in the sea.

KSDMA has warned the public not to touch or examine any objects that may wash ashore. “There is a chance the cargo, including containers and oil, will drift to the coast. The public should avoid contact and alert the police immediately,” KSDMA member secretary Dr. Sekhar Lukose Kuriakose said in a voice note shared with reporters, as quoted by Manorama News.

Preliminary information from the Indian Coast Guard suggests the ship was carrying Marine Gas Oil (84.4 metric tonnes) and Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (VLSFO, 367.1 metric tonnes). These fuels are considered hazardous and pose environmental and health risks if leaked.

The containers reportedly fell about 38 nautical miles (70 kilometres) southwest of Kochi, raising concerns about a possible oil film along the shoreline.

Authorities believe the drifting containers may reach the shores of Thiruvananthapuram or Kasaragod. Surveillance and monitoring have been intensified along the Kerala coast, with cleanup and emergency response teams on standby.

The ship was reportedly travelling from Vizhinjam to Kochi when the incident occurred under unclear circumstances.

The authority urged the public to immediately report any sightings of cargo containers or oil spills to the nearest coastal police station or by calling emergency number 112. Fishermen, beachgoers, and residents along the coastline have been advised to exercise extreme caution.

While the exact contents of the lost cargo are yet to be confirmed, officials have expressed concern over the presence of flammable and toxic substances. Coastal authorities are maintaining round-the-clock vigilance as efforts continue to assess the environmental impact and prevent public exposure.