NEW DELHI – The Indian Navy launched Saturday a large-scale rescueoperation following a crash of a helicopter with seven people on board offIndia’s western shore, the Indian Defense Ministry said in a statement,Sputnik has reported.
“Based on information on a Pawan Hans helicopter missing on 13 Jan 18,Indian Navy has launched large scale rescue operations to search for themissing helicopter.
Four Indian Naval Ships (T11, T45, Tarasa and Teg), one Dornier aircraftand one Seaking helicopter have been deployed towards the area,” thestatement read.
According to the information, provided by the Indian Navy, the helicoptercrashed soon after the take-off from the Indian city of Juhu on Saturdaymorning. Communication with the helicopter was lost 30 minutes later, whenit was located some 37 nautical miles off Mumbai cost.
Apart from two pilots, the helicopter was also carrying five employeesof the Indian Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, who were heading to oneof oil derricks in the Arabian Sea.
The Indian Navy has already confirmed the information about the deathsof five people, while two others are still missing. The reason behind thecrash has not been established yet.