Kerala Police register FIR against Liberian vessel that sank off coast

Kochi: The Kerala Police on Wednesday registered a case against the owner, master, and crew of the Liberian-flagged cargo vessel MSC Elsa 3, which sank off the state's coast on May 24.
The Fort Kochi Coastal Police filed the FIR under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections 282 (rash navigation of a vessel), 285 (danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation), 286 (negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substances), 287 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter), and 288 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substances).
According to the FIR, the vessel was carrying hazardous and combustible cargo and was handled in a negligent manner, leading to its sinking off the coast of Alappuzha district. The incident reportedly caused environmental damage and disrupted the livelihoods of local fishermen, resulting in financial losses amounting to several lakhs of rupees. The case was registered based on a complaint lodged by C Shamji, a resident of Alappuzha district.
The Ministry of Defence had earlier reported that the vessel was carrying 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous cargo and 12 containing calcium carbide. It also had approximately 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil onboard.