Debris of missing chopper found near Mumbai coast; five bodies recovered

Four more coast guard ships based at Mumbai (ICGS Samudra Prahari, ICGS Achook, ICGS C-154 and ICGS C-434) apart from ICGS Agrim were pressed into service and reached the datum to widen the search parameter. Further, another two Dornier aircraft (total 3) were deployed  to augment search effort.

The search teams from ICGS Agrim were able to locate and recover five bodies from water. Out of the five bodies recovered, two have been identified that of Pankaj Garg and Bindulal Babu. The floating debris was also recovered by the ship. The recovered bodies along with debris have been handed over to ONGC vessel at the crash site for further formalities.

Picture of Pawan Hans chopper crash victim Pankaj Garg ,Deputy General Manager of ONGC.

Sources added that while Garg’s body was identified by his identity card, Babu’s was identified through his driving license found in the wallet. The other three passengers on-board the ill-fated aircraft are- Sarvannan, Jose Anthony and P Shrinivasan.

Meanwhile, in an another tragic incident, a boat reportedly carrying reportedly 35 children capsized at sea off Dahanu creek. On receiving the information, Coast Guard Station at Dahanu immediately initiated search and rescue efforts whilst co-ordinating with local authorities.

Rescue operations being carried out by Indian Coast Guard

A Coast Guard boat based at Dahanu and a Coast Guard Helicopter from Daman was launched immediately for rescue. A total of 32 precious lives were saved in the incident and are being provided medical attention by the local authorities.

ALSO SEE | Pawan Hans chopper with ONGC employees crashes off Mumbai coast, five dead

However, there have been three casualties in the incident, all of them being students who had boarded the fateful boat. Search efforts are still continuing at the location in coordination with local authorities to search for missing students if any.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the loss of lives in the boat capsize incident off the Dahanu coast and Pawan Hans helicopter crash off the Mumbai coast. “Sad to know about capsizing of boat carrying school children of K L Ponda High School, Dahanu at Dahanu Parnaka Beach. 31 children have been rescued. Search operation is still on with local police and administration,” Fadnavis tweeted.