4 dead as ONGC helicopter makes emergency landing in Arabian Sea

Four people died after an ONGC helicopter, Pawan Hans Sikorsky chopper, made an emergency landing in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday (June 28). Nine people were on board the helicopter when the helicopter landed near the ONGC Sagar Kiran rig. Of the four who died, three were ONGC employees, while one was an under-contract worker.

ONGC tweeted on Tuesday, “Helicopter mishap in Arabian Sea near ONGC rig Sagar Kiran in Mumbai High; carrying 7 passengers and 2 pilots. Rescue operation on full swing.”

The helicopter landed in the sea while it was 50 nautical miles away from the Mumbai coast. It managed to stay afloat for some time with the help of attached floaters. This aided the rescue operations.

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The ONGC activated its regional contingency plan, as soon as the mishap was reported. They informed the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. ONGC vessels near the location were mobilized for search and rescue operations, according to a report.

The report quoted ONGC saying, “With prompt action, one person was rescued by lifeboat launched from ONGC Rig Sagar Kiran and four persons were rescued by ONGC stand-by vessel Malviya16. Despite inclement weather conditions, the rescue operations were carried out very swiftly.”

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The other four passengers were found unconscious and were airlifted to a Mumbai hospital by a Navy chopper. There, they were declared dead by the hospital.

The company (ONGC), has set up an enquiry to look into reasons behind the incident. ONGC also claims to be in the process of reaching out to all affected families and extending possible support.

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