Three missing as ICG chopper on rescue mission crashes into sea off Gujarat coast
According to the Indian Coast Guard, the incident took place while the helicopter was approaching the vessel for the evacuation during a rescue operation
Three crew members went missing after an Indian Coast Guard (ICG) helicopter on a rescue mission crashed into the Arabian Sea off Porbandar coast in Gujarat, officials said on Tuesday.
The incident occurred on Monday night after the agency launched an operation around 11 pm to evacuate an injured crew member on board a tanker which was sailing close to Porbandar, the ICG said in a statement.
As per media reports, one of the divers has been recovered while the search for the other diver and the two pilots was still underway. The condition of the diver recovered from the sea is stated to be stable.
According to the Indian Coast Guard, the incident took place while the helicopter was approaching the vessel for the evacuation. It has pressed four ships, and two aircraft for search operation.
“Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) which saved 67 lives during recent cyclonic weather in Gujarat was launched around 2300 hours yesterday for medical evacuation of a seriously injured crew onboard Indian Flagged Motor Tanker Hari Leela, about 45 kms from Porbandar into the sea, in response to a request received from the Master of the vessel,” the Indian Coast Guard said in a statement.
“ICG ALH helicopter with 4 aircrew onboard, during the said operation reportedly was forced to make an emergency landing at sea. One crew has been recovered and search for the remaining 3 crew is in progress. Aircraft wreckage has been located. The incident happened whilst the helicopter was approaching the vessel for the evacuation. Presently, ICG has pressed 04 ships, and two aircraft for search operation,” it added.
The rescue operations took place in different talukas of Porbandar and Dwarka districts.