Ship wreck case: Nurdles washed ashore along 36 coastal villages in TN’s Kanyakumari

Plastic nurdles have washed up along the shores of 36 out of the 42 coastal villages in Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari district following the sinking of the Liberiaflagged cargo vessel MSC Elsa 3 off the Kochi coast on May 24. District Collector R. Alagumeena confirmed the extent of the spread and said the cleanup operation is underway, with drone surveillance documenting the effort.

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The spill has significantly impacted coastal habitats, particularly in Killiyoor taluk, where all 16 villages have been affected. In Kalkulam and Agastheeswaram taluks, 10 of the 13 coastal hamlets in each have also reported the presence of nurdles ~ small plastic pellets used in manufacturing.