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The Times of India
The Times of India
Business
Manju V | TNN

Four dead after Pawan Hans chopper makes emergency landing in Bombay High

MUMBAI: Four people were killed after a Pawan Hans helicopter with nine on board made an emergency landing on the Arabian sea on Tuesday.

The four deceased have been identified as ONGC officials Mukesh Patel, Vijay Mandloi, Satyambad Patra and a contract worker named Sanju Francis.

"Four persons rescued by Navy chopper were brought to the base unconsciously and taken to the hospital. Unfortunately, they could not survive," ONGC said in a statement.

"ONGC deeply mourns this tragic loss of lives; ONGC is reaching out to the affected families and extending all possible support. An enquiry has been instituted," it added.

Speaking about search and rescue operations, ONGC said that the Regional Contingency Plan (west) (RCP) was immediately activated; Indian Navy and Coast Guard were informed of the incident.

"ONGC vessels near the location were mobilized for search and rescue operation. With prompt action, one person was rescued by life boat 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. Navy also deputed its vessels and chopper while Coast Guard diverted its vessels and an aircraft," the ONGC said.

The Pawan Hans Sikorsky 76D helicopter ditched close to the drilling rig Sagar Kiran in Bombay High. The rig is located over 100 km off the coast of Mumbai. Ditching is a controlled emergency landing carried out by helicopter pilots on water.

The helicopter VT PWI ( S 76 D) took off from Juhu at 10.54 am for Sagar Kiran ONGC rig. "The Pawan Hans operations room at Juhu airport was informed by operations room ONGC at 11.45 am that the helicopter has ditched at sea," said a source.

"The helicopter has turned upside down after landing on the water. There were a total of 2 pilots and 7 passengers onboard," the source added.

Indian Coast Guard spokesman, Commandant RK Singh had said all nine survivors were picked up, four by naval helicopter after they received SOS.

"Coast Guard ship at sea diverted to reach Datum. Another ship sailed out from Mumbai with dispatch to join Rescue Operations. Coast Guard Aircraft dropped Life raft for survivors. International Safety net activated by MRCC (Mumbai). Coast Guard coordinating with Indian Navy and ONGC for mobilisation and augmentation of the rescue effort."

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