#Regulations

Seven Crewmembers from MSC Elsa 3 Casualty Seek Release from India

A year after the MSC Elsa 3 containership sank off the Kerala coast on May 24, 2025, seven crewmembers remain detained in India. They have petitioned the High Court in Kerala for the return of their passports and permission to return home on humanitarian grounds. While 15 crewmembers were allowed to depart in August 2025, the remaining seven—from Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, and the Philippines—are seeking release, with a follow-up court hearing scheduled for May 29. The incident has also left environmental damage, with persistent pollution from cargo including calcium carbide and plastic nurdles continuing to affect beaches.