New Delhi, Aug 26, 2024, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

New Delhi, Aug 26: In a daring operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) rescued 11 crew members from the distressed MV-ITT Puma during a challenging night-time search and rescue.

The Mumbai-registered general cargo vessel was en route from Kolkata to Port Blair when it reportedly sank about 90 nautical miles south of Sagar Island (West Bengal), according to an official release on Monday.

The Maritime Search & Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Chennai, initially received a distress signal late on Sunday evening.

The ICG’s Regional Headquarters (North East) in Kolkata promptly mobilised two ICG vessels and a Dornier aircraft to the site. The Dornier aircraft, equipped with advanced night-capable sensors detected adrift life rafts and sighted survival red flares from the distressed crew.

Guided by the aircraft, the ICG ship reached the coordinates where two life rafts were found tied together, housing the survivors. Despite challenging weather conditions, the ICG ships 'Sarang' and 'Amogh', alongside the Dornier aircraft, executed a coordinated sea-air rescue, ensuring the safety of the crew during the late hours of Sunday and the early hours of Monday, the release added.