Kerala Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian on Monday said that the police investigation into the sinking of the Liberian-flagged ship MSC Elsa 3 off the Kerala coast is progressing under the supervision of the coastal IG and DIG. He was responding to a Calling Attention motion moved by MLA Antony Raju in the Assembly regarding the incident and government measures following the shipwreck.

Cherian said the Fort Kochi Coastal Police registered a crime case on June 11, naming the ship’s owners, master, and crew as accused. The case was filed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the sinking and the subsequent loss of cargo into the sea.

“The investigation is progressing under the coastal IG and DIG,” he said, adding that the government has prioritised rehabilitation measures and steps to protect the environment and marine ecosystem. The minister cited reports from various agencies stating there is no immediate danger to fish stock due to the cargo in the sea. However, he cautioned that the substances could have a long-term impact on marine biodiversity.

Coordinated efforts have been made to remove floating cargo, including plastic pellets and cotton bundles, with drone surveys mapping waste accumulation and affected coasts being cleaned with the help of volunteers and agencies.

The vessel sank about 14.6 nautical miles from Thottappally in Alappuzha district on May 25. At the time, it was carrying 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous cargo, 12 with calcium carbide, 84.44 MT of diesel, and 367.1 MT of furnace oil.