The search and rescue operations to locate the missing Dornier aircraft of the Indian Coast Guard in Bay of Bengal changed gears with the deployment of a submarine in the region. This was announced by ICG sources based in Chennai. The search team deployed to locate the missing aircraft (CG 791) has come across some ‘oil spill’ in the Bay of Bengal, according to SCS Bisht, director general, Indian Coast Guard. Other than this spill, the search team has not made any considerable breakthrough in its mission.
Speaking to reporters at Chennai on Wednesday after supervising the 24X7 search and rescue operation being carried out by a fleet of CG, IN ships and surveillance aircraft, Bisht said the oil spill has been sent for testing. “We haven’t got any accurate clue as of now, but one input is that we have found oil spill which we have sent for testing,” said the DG.
The Dornier aircraft which was on a surveillance sortie was reported missing on Monday night off the Karaickal coast. The aircraft had two pilots and a navigator on board. Bisht said the aircraft was a new one which was inducted into the force in 2014.
The Coast Guard chief said the area where the search and rescue mission is on is 600 to 700 meters deep and, hence, the delay in locating any debris if any.