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A tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday off the coast of Porbandar in Gujarat when an Indian Coast Guard helicopter crashed into the Arabian Sea during a rescue operation. The incident resulted in the loss of two lives, including the pilot, Senior Deputy Commandant Vipin Babu (39), hailing from Kandiyoor Parakkadavu Nandanam House in Mavelikkara, Alappuzha district, Kerala. Reports indicate that the co-pilot also perished in the crash. One crew member remains missing, and a search operation is underway to locate them.
The Coast Guard launched the rescue mission on Monday night around 11 pm to evacuate an injured crew member from a tanker ship sailing near Porbandar. The advanced light helicopter (ALH) involved in the operation encountered a critical situation, forcing it to make an emergency hard landing and ditch into the sea. While one crew member was successfully rescued, the fate of the remaining three remained unknown for several hours.
Following the crash, the Indian Coast Guard swiftly deployed four ships and two aircraft to conduct a thorough search and rescue operation for the missing crew members. The agency released a statement on X (formerly Twitter), confirming the incident and the ongoing search efforts. The statement highlighted the helicopter's mission to evacuate an injured crew member from the Motor Tanker Hari Leela off the coast of Porbandar, Gujarat, when it encountered the emergency landing. The Coast Guard remains dedicated to ensuring the safe return of the missing crew member, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing human life in such situations.
Source: Coast Guard helicopter crashes during rescue mission in Gujarat, Malayali pilot among 2 killed