India’s Kerala state issued a high alert on Monday after the Liberia-flagged container ship MSC ELSA 3 sank off its coast in the Arabian Sea, carrying hazardous cargo.

The ship was sailing between Vizhinjam and Kochi when it went down early Sunday, about 38 nautical miles from shore.

All 24 crew were rescued.

The vessel contained 640 containers, including hazardous materials and calcium carbide, and carried diesel and furnace oil in its tanks.

The state government warned fishermen to avoid the site, while some containers washed ashore, the Associated Press has reported.

The Indian Coast Guard deployed aircraft and pollution control equipment to monitor and contain the situation.

Written by B.C. Begley