Indian Coast Guard Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing During Medical Evacuation Near Gujarat; Search for Missing Crew Underway

The Indian Coast Guard's Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), with 4 aircrews on board, was launched late on Monday night (September 2) to evacuate a seriously injured crew member from the Indian-flagged motor tanker, Hari Leela, located approximately 45 kilometres off the coast of Porbandar in Gujarat. The operation was initiated following a request from the vessel's master.

The helicopter, carrying four aircrew members, was approaching the tanker for the medical evacuation when it encountered difficulties and was forced to make an emergency landing in the Arabian Sea. Fortunately, one crew member was successfully recovered, while the search for the remaining three crew members is currently underway. The helicopter's wreckage has been located.

On 02 Sep 2024, @IndiaCoastGuard ALH helicopter was launched at 2300 hrs to evacuate an injured crew member from the Motor Tanker Hari Leela off #Porbandar, #Gujarat. The helicopter had to make an emergency landing at sea. One crew member recovered, search for the remaining…

— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) September 3, 2024

The Indian Coast Guard has mobilised four ships and two aircraft to assist in the search and rescue operation. "We are committed to ensuring the safety of our personnel and the successful recovery of the remaining crew members," stated an ICG spokesperson.

The incident occurred at around 11 PM on September 2, when the helicopter was dispatched to evacuate an injured crew member from the Motor Tanker Hari Leela off the Porbandar coast in Gujarat. “Indian Coast Guard has deployed four ships and 2 aircraft for the rescue operation,” the post said.

In a statement, the Indian Coast Guard said, “Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) which saved 67 lives during recent cyclonic weather in Gujarat was launched around 2300 hours yesterday for medical evacuation of a seriously injured crew onboard Indian Flagged Motor Tanker Hari Leela, about 45 kms from Porbandar into the sea, in response to a request received from the Master of the vessel”.