MSC Elsa 3 Sinking: 16 days on, Kerala police file criminal case over sinking of Liberian-flagged cargo vessel MSC Elsa 3, says crew’s mishandling led to mishap | Kochi News

KOCHI: Police on Wednesday registered a case of rash navigation against the owner, master and crew of the Liberian-flagged vessel MSC Elsa 3, which sank 14.6 nautical miles off Thottappilly, Alappuzha, on May 25. Fort Kochi coastal police registered the FIR based on a complaint filed by C Shamji of Neerkkunnam Matsya Gramam in Alappuzha.The police action followed mounting pressure from fishing communities and political organisations over the lack of accountability for the incident. The opposition had on Tuesday criticised the govt for not lodging a case in the matter, after reports said the state preferred the insurance route.According to the FIR, the crew and operators of the vessel acted with gross negligence despite being aware that the cargo included flammable goods and explosive materials. Their alleged mishandling led to the sinking of the vessel, resulting in serious environmental consequences and economic losses for the local fishing community. The ship was en route to Kochi from Vizhinjam when it capsized. The FIR has been filed under Sections 282 (rash navigation of vessel), 285 (danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation), 286 (negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substances), 287 (negligent conduct with fire or combustible materials), 288 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substances) and 3(5) (joint criminal liability for common intent) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).The FIR also notes that the sunken containers released hazardous plastic debris and waste into the sea, damaging marine ecosystems and affecting livelihoods, besides the wreckage posing a navigation hazard to other vessels. Besides declaring the wreckage as a state-specific disaster, the govt had asked the vessel owner to take full responsibility for the damage caused. It had also initiated various measures to contain the ecological damage.According to the directorate general of shipping, the vessel carried 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous cargo and 12 containing calcium carbide. It also had 84.44 MT of diesel and 367.1 MT of furnace oil. A recent report by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority said 56 containers were retrieved, with four more under active recovery.