Mumbai: ONGC chopper with 9 on board makes emergency landing in sea, four dead

“A Pawan Hans helicopter with seven ONGC passengers and two crew members crashed near Sagar Kiran oil rig. In the rescue operations, three ONGC employees and both crew members were saved. Three employees and one temporary ONGC worker succumbed. Their bodies have been taken to Cooper Hospital,” said Juhu airport director A K Verma.

The helicopter was a brand new Sikorsky S 76 D with the call sign VT- PWI and was operated by Pawan Hans.

“Our Dornier aircraft has reached the spot for search and rescue from Daman airbase. The ONGC has also sent a helicopter and a vessel,” Coast Guard Director General Virender Pathania had earlier told The Indian Express.

While a guard ship at sea was diverted, another ship sailed out from Mumbai with dispatch to join the rescue operations. (Express/Sourced)

“We have sent a Sea King helicopter, an advanced light helicopter with harness and divers. They have also thrown life rafts from helicopters for survivors,” a top officer of the Indian Navy said.

A Coast Guard spokesperson said that Ocean Support vessel Malviya 16 was diverted by Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Mumbai, to join the rescue operations and picked up two survivors. MRCC (Mumbai) also activated the International Safety Net.

While a guard ship at sea was diverted, another ship sailed out from Mumbai with dispatch to join the rescue operations.

The Coast Guard is coordinating with the Indian Navy and ONGC for mobilisation and augmentation of the rescue effort, the Coast Guard spokesperson added.