Indian Coast Guard Helicopter Crash: 2 Bodies Recovered During Critical Rescue Mission

Two of three bodies recovered after an Indian Coast Guard helicopter crashed in the Arabian Sea during a rescue mission. The helicopter had saved 67 lives during recent cyclonic weather in Gujarat.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has recovered two out of three bodies following the crash of an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) in the Arabian Sea. The crash occurred during an emergency landing as the helicopter approached a vessel to evacuate an injured crew member.

Identified as Commandant Vipin Babu and P/NVK Karan Singh, the bodies were retrieved on Tuesday, according to Porbandar Coast Guard DIG Pankaj Agarwal. The helicopter had previously saved 67 lives during recent cyclonic weather in Gujarat before the emergency landing, which took place about 45 km from Porbandar.

The rescue mission was initiated around 11 pm on Monday for the medical evacuation of an injured crew member aboard the Indian-flagged Motor Tanker Hari Leela. Previously, on August 26, the ICG rescued 11 crew members from the distressed MV ITT Puma during a night-time search operation when it sank 90 nautical miles south of Sagar Island, West Bengal.

(With inputs from agencies.)