Containers from sunken MSC Elsa 3 wash up along India's southern coast

Authorities in India report that more than two dozen containers had washed up on a number of beaches on the coast of the southern state of Kerala earlier this week.

The containers were among those being carried by the Liberian-registered MSC Elsa 3 when it sank off Kochi on Sunday, May 25.

The containership had developed a severe list as it was travelling between Vizhinjam Port and Kochi on Saturday, May 24. Although it eventually sank, all 24 of the crew were safely rescued during a joint operation by the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard.

At the time of the incident, the ship had a cargo of 640 containers, of which 13 had hazardous cargo and 12 contained calcium carbide, a chemical compound with traces of phosphorous and arsenic.

The State Government of Kerala and other local agencies have since deployed personnel to the affected beaches to assess the situation and be ready to implement pollution control measures as needed.

A disaster response official confirmed that the beached containers had no hazardous substances, though a number were laden with glass, cotton, and green tea.

The state government has also warned local residents to stay away from the containers as disaster response personnel draft plans for their eventual removal from the shore.