The Indian Coast Guard has launched a search and rescue operation off Gujarat coast after one of its rescue aircraft crashed in the Arabian Sea. According to ICG, three crew members are missing and the wreckage of the aircraft has been located.
The Coast Guard in a statement said its Advanced Light Helicopter was launched at 11pm on Monday for a rescue operation off Porbandar coast in Gujarat. “The Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) which saved 67 lives during recent cyclonic weather in Gujarat was launched around 2300 hours (11pm) on Monday for medical evacuation of a seriously injured crew onboard Indian Flagged Motor Tanker Hari Leela, about 45kms from Porbandar into the sea, in response to a request received from the Master of the vessel.”
The ICG said the helicopter had to make an emergency hard landing and it “ditched into the sea”. According to the Coast Guard authorities, there were four crew members onboard the helicopter. While one person has been rescued, the search is on to rescue three others.
“One crew member has been recovered and the search for the remaining three persons is in progress,” it said. “The Indian Coast Guard has deployed four ships and two aircraft for rescue operations. Wreckage of the aircraft which crashed has been located,” it added.
