Two Indian Coast Guard Pilots missing after helicopter's emergency landing in Arabian Sea

The Indian Coast Guard has begun a large-scale search operation after one of its helicopters, carrying four crew members, including two pilots, made an emergency landing in the Arabian Sea on Monday night. The helicopter was conducting a rescue mission off the coast of Porbandar, Gujarat, when the incident occurred. The Coast Guard stated that the helicopter was approaching a vessel for an evacuation when it was forced to land at sea.

So far, one diver has been recovered, and his condition is reported to be stable. The search for the remaining crew members, including the two pilots and another diver, is ongoing. The Coast Guard has deployed four ships and two aircraft to aid in the search effort.

Rescue mission details and ongoing operations

The helicopter involved in the incident had recently been involved in saving 67 lives during the cyclonic weather in Gujarat. On Monday night, the helicopter was launched at around 11:00 PM for the medical evacuation of an injured crew member aboard the Indian-flagged Motor Tanker Hari Leela, located about 45 kilometers from Porbandar. As the helicopter approached the vessel, it was forced to make an emergency landing.

ALSO READ: Ban on imported goods in Army Canteens boosts Make-in-India initiative

ALSO READ: President Murmu: delays in justice administration erode public trust

The wreckage of the helicopter has been found, but the search for the remaining crew members continues. Meanwhile, the Indian Coast Guard has been conducting other rescue operations in the flood-hit areas of Porbandar and Dwarka districts. In these challenging conditions, the Coast Guard helicopter rescued 33 people on the first day of operations and another 28 people on the second day, bringing the total to 61 lives saved.

Gujarat has been experiencing heavy rainfall, leading to severe flooding in many areas. This has displaced hundreds of residents, forcing them to move to safer locations. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also been active, rescuing 22 people trapped by floodwaters in Chachlana village of Kalyanpur tehsil last week.