Kochi, Aug 3 (IANS) The Kerala High Court on Monday allowed two more foreign crew members of the sunken cargo vessel MSC Elsa 3 to return to their home countries, while directing them to cooperate with the ongoing investigation into the shipwreck off the Kerala coast.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas passed the order while considering petitions filed by the crew, who have remained in India for more than a year after the Liberian flagged vessel sank on May 25, 2025.
The court granted permission to the ship’s Chief Officer and Second Engineer to leave the country subject to strict conditions.
Both have been directed to execute a bond of Rs 10 lakh with two sureties.
They must also deposit Rs 1 lakh each as cash security before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Kochi.
The two officers have been asked to give an undertaking that they will fully cooperate with the investigation being conducted under the relevant provisions of law.
They must also provide their permanent address, mobile number and other contact details before leaving India.
The High Court had earlier indicated that it was inclined to allow them to travel as their names did not figure in the preliminary enquiry report.
This is the second such order in the case.
Earlier, the court had permitted three other foreign crew members to return to their respective countries after imposing similar conditions.
With Monday’s order, five of the seven foreign crew members who had approached the court have now been allowed to leave India.
Only the ship’s Master and the Chief Engineer continue to remain in the country.
Their petitions are yet to be decided.
The MSC Elsa 3 sank off the Kerala coast in May last year, triggering a major investigation into the circumstances leading to the accident.
The case is being closely watched as agencies continue to examine the cause of the sinking and fix responsibility.
The High Court has posted the matter for further consideration after the Onam vacation.
–IANS
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