Tue Aug 05 02:53:52 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text:

**Headline: International Team Arrives to Tackle MSC Elsa Oil Leak Off Kerala Coast**

**Thiruvananthapuram, August 5, 2025** – More than two months after the container ship MSC Elsa capsized off the coast of Kerala, a team of foreign technicians and divers has arrived at Kollam port to begin the crucial work of containing and extracting oil and hazardous materials from the sunken vessel. The arrival marks a significant step forward in mitigating the environmental disaster that has plagued the region since May 24, 2025.

The Liberian-flagged MSC Elsa sank while en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi, carrying approximately 640 containers, including 13 classified as hazardous, with 12 containing calcium carbide. The ship also contained approximately 84.44 tonnes of diesel and 367.1 tonnes of furnace oil. The potential for leaks has prompted serious environmental concerns.

Kollam port has been selected as the operational hub due to its proximity to the wreck (approximately 4.5 hours travel time) and adequate draft. Offshore support vessels transported the technicians to the site after immigration passes were issued. The mobilization of the Southern Nova vessel signals a key transition towards deep-sea fuel extraction using saturation diving.

Oil slicks were spotted again on Monday, prompting renewed concerns despite earlier claims of successful capping. Greenpeace South Asia had previously reported a 9.3 km long oil slick in June.

Officials estimate the complete oil recovery will take approximately four weeks, dependent on weather conditions. The Kerala government has declared the sinking of the MSC Elsa 3, a ‘State-specific disaster’. The incident has sparked concern about the potential impact on marine ecosystems along the Kerala and Tamil Nadu coasts.

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