ONGC chopper mishap: ICG, Navy airlifted all nine within 2 hours

Mumbai, June 29: The four passengers who succumbed in the Pawan Hans helicopter accident on Tuesday were airlifted by the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard in a swift rescue operation.

 

All nine people in the helicopter including two pilots, six ONGC personnel, and an employee of a contractor were pulled out in a two-hour-long operation by ships and helicopters of the Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy, which were aided by some private ships and an ONGC support vessel.

 

Reportedly, the chopper ditched into the sea whilst attempting emergency landing on an oil platform. The MRCC (Mumbai) immediately alerted all stakeholders for urgent Search and Rescue. An urgent requisition was also made to Indian Navy and accordingly Naval Seaking and ALH were launched promptly.

 

 

In challenging weather conditions, ONGC ship OSV Malviya-16 located and rescued 4 survivors whereas 1 survivor was picked up by a life boat launched by ONGC rig Sagar Kiran. Similarly, Naval Seaking and ALH recovered 4 survivors in critical condition and they were ferried to Juhu airbase for further medical management.

 

The deceased have been identified as engineers Mukesh Patel and Vijay Mandloi, geologist Satyambad Patra and room boy Sanju Francis. “All 9 persons onboard helicopter were rescued. Unfortunately, four of them, brought unconscious to the Mumbai base and taken to the hospital, lost the battle of life. #ONGC deeply mourns this loss,” tweeted ONGC.

 

“I am personally deeply saddened and mourn the loss of 4 hardworking members of the @ONGC_family, Sh Mukesh Patel Ji EE(E), Sh Vijay Mandloi Ji, EE(M), Sh Satyambad Patra Ji, Geologist & contract worker Sh Sanju Francis Ji in a tragic helicopter accident at Mumbai offshore today,” petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri tweeted.