Two pilots from the Indian Coast Guard are missing following an emergency landing of their helicopter in the Arabian Sea on Friday. The Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) was engaged in a medical evacuation mission when it was forced to make an unscheduled landing approximately 20 nautical miles west of Mumbai.
The helicopter, which had recently undergone maintenance, encountered technical difficulties during the mission, leading to the emergency landing. While two of the crew members were successfully rescued by a nearby fishing vessel, the search for the missing pilots continues.
The Indian Coast Guard and Navy have launched a large-scale search and rescue operation to locate the missing personnel. Multiple ships and aircraft have been deployed to scour the area, with efforts intensifying as time progresses. The incident has raised concerns regarding the operational safety of the Advanced Light Helicopter, especially in the wake of recent maintenance activities.
The Coast Guard has yet to release specific details on what caused the emergency landing, but a thorough investigation is expected to follow. The incident highlights the inherent risks faced by service members during critical missions, especially in challenging conditions at sea.
The search for the missing pilots is ongoing, with the Indian Coast Guard and Navy working tirelessly to locate them. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers involved in Coast Guard operations and has prompted a closer examination of the safety protocols associated with helicopter missions in maritime environments. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
