Porbandar: In a distressing incident, three Indian Coast Guard (ICG) crew members went missing after their helicopter made an emergency hard landing in the Arabian Sea on Monday night. The helicopter was deployed to evacuate a severely injured crew member from the Motor Tanker (MT) Hari Leela, approximately 45 kilometers off the coast of Gujarat’s Porbandar.
The ICG’s Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) took off at around 11 PM for the medical evacuation mission. However, during the operation, the helicopter encountered severe difficulties and was forced to make an emergency landing in the sea.
“One crew member has been recovered so far, and the search for the remaining three is ongoing. The wreckage of the aircraft has been located,” the ICG said in an official statement. Four ships and two aircraft have been dispatched to the area as part of the extensive search and rescue efforts currently underway.
Ongoing Rescue Operations: The incident underscores the dangers faced by rescue teams during high-risk operations. The Coast Guard’s efforts to locate the missing crew members have been intensified, with search operations continuing despite challenging conditions. The recovery of the helicopter wreckage has provided some hope, but the search for the missing personnel remains the top priority.
This incident follows closely on the heels of the Coast Guard’s extensive rescue and relief operations in Gujarat, which has been battered by heavy monsoon rains. The ICG, along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indian Army, and Indian Air Force, recently relocated over 17,000 people from flood-affected regions of the state.
The Broader Context: The Coast Guard’s role in India’s disaster response efforts has been particularly prominent in recent weeks, given the heavy monsoon rains that have devastated parts of Gujarat and other states. The current search and rescue operation for the missing crew members is yet another demonstration of the challenges and risks that the ICG personnel face while safeguarding India’s maritime interests.
The tragic incident has once again brought attention to the critical role played by the Coast Guard and other defense forces in ensuring the safety and security of both civilians and fellow service members in perilous situations.
