Three weeks ago, the container ship “MSC Elsa 3” sank off the Indian coast. Hazardous goods and plastic waste ended up in the sea.
Now the police in the state of Kerala have initiated criminal proceedings against the shipping company MSC. The reason: the age of the ship.
The proceedings are directed against MSC, the captain and the crew. Although no one was injured in the accident, the sinking of the “MSC Elsa 3” caused serious environmental pollution off the coast. The ship was carrying over 600 containers, some of which contained hazardous materials. Several containers have washed up off Kerala in recent weeks, and plastic pellets (so-called “nurdles”) have also been reported over a wide area. There are also reports of small oil slicks spreading off the coast.
“MSC Elsa 3” was built in 1997
MSC and the crew are accused of careless navigation and negligent behavior. The 28-year-old “MSC Elsa 3” sank under rough conditions. In India, the accident sparked a debate about whether over-aged ships should be allowed to continue to pass through the region. The criminal proceedings follow increasing public pressure and criticism of the government’s alleged inaction following the shipwreck.
The debate was further fueled by the recent accident involving the “Wan Hai 503“, which also occurred off the coast of Kerala. After several explosions on board, the ship was engulfed in flames and four people were reported missing.
