Mumbai Chopper Crash: 5 speedboats and a chopper from ONGC were deployed to conduct search operations
A Pawan Hans helicopter
crashed off the Mumbai coast with seven people on board, including two pilots. The helicopter lost contact with the air traffic control today shortly after take-off from Juhu Aerodrome at 10:20 AM this morning. The chopper, Dauphin N3 with registration number VT PWA, last contacted the Air Traffic Control at 10:35 AM when it was about 30 nautical miles off the Mumbai coast. Among those on board were officials from the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation or ONGC who were headed for the Offshore Development Area in the north fields of Mumbai High. The Indian Coast guard has launched a search operation for the helicopter. Choppers and Immediate Support Vessels or ISVs have been deployed. Five speedboats, a merchant vessel and a chopper from ONGC have been deployed to conduct search operations. As of now, a fifth body has been found, according to the Indian Navy spokesperson's official Twitter account and has been brought back on board the ICGS Agrim.
Here are the highlights from the Mumbai Chopper Crash:
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan met the family of an ONGC employee who lost his life in the Pawan Hans helicopter crash, reports news agency ANI.
Bodies from Pawan Hans helicopter being airlifted
In another tweet from the Indian Navy Spokesperson's official Twitter account, bodies that were found are currently being airlifted from ONGC MSV HAL Anant to Juhu.
In a previous tweet, the search and rescue operations included four Indian Navy ships: Teg, Tarasa, T11 and T45. The tweet also says that a Chetak helicopter is being used in search operations.
Recovered wreckage and life jackets are being brought back on ONGC's OSV Hull Anand.
Fifth body found in Pawan Hans helicopter crash
The official Twitter account of the Indian Navy's Spokesperson has tweeted saying a fifth body has been found and is being brought back on board the ICGS Agrim.
The Spokesperson of the Indian Navy said in a tweet that the Fast Attack Craft INS Tarasa has joined search and rescue operations. A Boeing P8i from the naval air station INS Rajali at Arrakonam, Tamil Nadu and Seaking 42C from Naval Air station INS Shikra Colaba had also joined in the search operations.
On Pawan Hans Helicopter crash, ONGC tweets
In a series of tweets, ONGC has said that the search operation is being led by ONGC's top management. In one of the tweets, ONGC has said that CMD Shashi Shanker has rushed to Mumbai to monitor the search operation.
In another tweet, ONGC said that five speedboats, one merchant navy vessel and one chopper had been deployed for search operations.
ONGC said in yet another tweet that it had pressed its helicopter and speedboats for search operations when the news of the crash had been received by its Helibase Control Room.
Two bodies identified out of the four recovered, says news agency ANI
According to news agency ANI, the Indian Coast Guard has identified two bodies out of the four that were recovered at sea near the debris of the ONGC helicopter.
Five ships, two Dornier aircraft and two helicopters have been deployed for search and rescue operations.
Coast Guard officials said that the body of a senior ONGC officer was found among the four bodies recovered
Fourth body recovered by the Indian Coast Guard. Search and rescue operation continues.
Two more bodies recovered by the Indian Coast Guard. Search and rescue operation underway.
Two Immediate Support Vessels or ISVs deployed for patrol in area have been diverted for search & rescue along with three Coast Guard units already in area. Seaking 42 B helicopter being launched in addition: Navy Spokesperson on missing helicopter.
One Pawan Hans helicopter of ONGC, with five passengers and two pilots on board lost at sea, says Indian Coast Guard. Debris located by Coast Guard ship and one body was recovered. Large scale operations underway.
Spoke to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and requested for help from Coast Guard and other agencies in the search and rescue operations, CMD, ONGC has rushed to Mumbai, says Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.