Over a month after Coast Guard chopper crash, body of missing pilot recovered off Gujarat coast


PTI, Oct 11, 2024, 1:22 PM IST

Ahmedabad: The body of a missing Indian Coast Guard pilot has been recovered over a month after a helicopter belonging to the maritime security agency crashed into the Arabian Sea off Gujarat coast, officials said on Friday.

Three crew members went missing after the ALH MK-III helicopter fell into the Arabian Sea off Porbandar on September 2. While the bodies of two crew members were recovered subsequently, a search continued to trace Rakesh Kumar Rana, the pilot in command of the mission.

Rana’s body was recovered from the sea, nearly 55 km southwest of Porbandar, on October 10, the Coast Guard said in a release.

“ICG (Coast Guard) along with the Indian Navy and other stakeholders continued unrelenting search efforts to locate Commandant Rakesh Kumar Rana, who was the Pilot in Command of the mission.

“His mortal remains will be cremated as per service traditions and honour. A warm salute to the three brave souls from Rank and File of the Indian Coast Guard who laid down their lives in the line of duty,” it said.

The Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) of the Coast Guard with four crew members met with the accident while trying to evacuate an injured man on board motor tanker Hari Leela, nearly 30 nautical miles from the Porbandar coast.

While one of the four crew members on the helicopter, diver Gautam Kumar, was rescued immediately, three went missing. A day later, the bodies of pilot Vipin Babu and diver Karan Singh were recovered. But Rana remained missing, prompting a massive search operation.

As part of the search by the Coast Guard and Indian Navy, more than 70 air sorties and 82 ship days involving several vessels were pressed into service, added the release.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Congress govt in Karnataka withdraws case against Hubballi rioters who attacked police

Mysuru decks up for grand finale of iconic Dasara celebrations

Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Japanese organisation of atomic bombing survivors Nihon Hidankyo

Release of ‘Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama’ in India delayed, new date to be announced

Noel Tata to succeed Ratan as chairman of Tata Trusts

Trump says India biggest tariff charger; vows to reciprocate if elected to power

Deeply concerned: India on theft of crown, gifted by PM Modi, from temple in Bangladesh

Related Articles More

PM Modi invites East Asia Summit countries for higher education meet at Nalanda University

Cong slams BJP over ‘growing drug trade’ in MP, question PM’s ‘silence’

Row over entry to JP centre: Akhilesh asks Nitish to pull out of BJP-led NDA

BJP MLA sends resignation to Speaker during protest against doctor, regrets move later

Deeply concerned: India on theft of crown, gifted by PM Modi, from temple in Bangladesh

MUST WATCH

Vipra Chat Home

Tirupati Laddu Controversy

Kaljiga Movie

Hearing problems in newborn’s

EAT RAJA


Latest Additions

PM Modi invites East Asia Summit countries for higher education meet at Nalanda University

Cong slams BJP over ‘growing drug trade’ in MP, question PM’s ‘silence’

Congress govt in Karnataka withdraws case against Hubballi rioters who attacked police

Mysuru decks up for grand finale of iconic Dasara celebrations

Coastal region’s long awaited rail connection to Tirupati begins on Vijayadashami

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.