Mumbai: A helicopter carrying nine persons on board including two pilots made an emergency landing at around 11.45 am on Tuesday on the Arabian Sea, one nautical mile away from ONGC offshore rig Sagar Kiran. The Regional Contingency Plan (RCP) west was immediately activated. The Indian Navy and the Coast Guard were informed of the incident. The ONGC vessels near the location were mobilized for search and rescue operations.

With prompt action, one person was rescued by lifeboat launched from ONGC Rig Sagar Kiran and four persons were rescued by ONGC stand-by vessel Malviya-16. Despite inclement weather conditions, the rescue operations were carried out very swiftly. The Navy also deputed its vessels and choppers while the Coast Guard diverted its vessels and aircraft.

In a statement, the ONGC said: “Four persons rescued by Navy choppers were brought to the base unconsciously and taken to the hospital. Unfortunately, they could not survive. ONGC deeply mourns this tragic loss of lives. ONGC is reaching out to the affected families and extending all possible support. An inquiry has been instituted.” /BI/