An Indian cargo ship carrying hazardous materials sank in the Arabian Sea, leading to a major environmental crisis along Kerala’s coastline.
The ship was transporting 640 containers, of which 13 containing highly toxic chemicals were lost at sea, alongside a spill of approximately 84 tons of diesel and 367 tons of furnace oil, raising serious concerns over marine pollution and its effects on local communities.
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The incident, which took place earlier this week, has alarmed environmental experts and fishermen in the area. Despite the severity, the Indian Navy and the Modi administration have largely remained silent, drawing criticism for their inadequate response and lack of preparedness.
Experts warn that the chemical leak could severely damage marine ecosystems, threaten biodiversity, and affect the health of locals due to seafood contamination. Fishermen have already noticed a drop in fish catches and fear worsening conditions. Environmentalists are demanding swift and transparent action to control and minimize the spill’s impact.
Political analysts and opposition parties have condemned the government and Navy for what they describe as negligence, questioning why no preventive measures were implemented despite the dangerous cargo. Clean-up efforts have been minimal so far, exposing weaknesses in India’s maritime safety and environmental protection protocols.
