MSC Elsa 3 crew approach Kerala High Court, seek permission to return to home countries

The crew members of MSC Elsa 3, a ship that sank off the Kerala coast in May 2025, on Friday approached the Kerala High Court, seeking permission to return to their home countries.

Their passports had been seized in the wake of the sinking. After hearing their plea, the court issued notice and sought the response of the Centre and the State on the matter. The crew members submitted that the authorities concerned insisted on their presence here for investigations, even after mails were sent seeking permission for return to their home countries.The detention was illegal, they claimed.

The matter has been posted for hearing on May 29.

The sinking of the Liberia flagged ship had led to marine pollution off the coast, while pollutants like plastic nurdles from the sunk ship had made their way to the coast of many districts in Kerala. The State government had claimed ₹9,531 crore as compensation, mainly for the marine and coastal pollution and the loss caused to fishers after the sinking of the ship.