In one of the biggest off-shore search and rescue operations mounted by the Coast Guard and Navy, its personnel have so far rescued 188 of the 273 people onboard barge P305.
On Wednesday afternoon, May 19, Navy spokesperson said: “INS Kochi has entered Mumbai carrying rescued personnel of Barge P305.”
#CycloneTauktae #Update#INSKochi has entered #Mumbai carrying rescued personnel of Barge P305.
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) May 19, 2021
Names conveyed to @ONGC_/ Afcons.
They can be contacted for details on following numbers:- @SpokespersonMoD@DefenceMinIndia@PetroleumMin@shipmin_india https://t.co/4wqBe4PwTw pic.twitter.com/hYUPeKV3CX
“188 survivors including two ex-tug Varaprada rescued and 22 Brave Natures Victims (BNV) recovered so far. INS Kochi returned to Mumbai with survivors/ BNV. Indian Navy’s effort continues for the remaining personnel,” the navy spokesperson tweeted.
#CycloneTauktae #Update #SAR Ops - Barge P305.
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) May 19, 2021
188 survivors incl two ex tug Varaprada rescued & 22 Brave #NaturesVictims #BNV recovered so far. #INSKochi returned to #Mumbai with survivors/ BNV.#IndianNavy #SAR effort continues for the remaining personnel.@DefenceMinIndia pic.twitter.com/qeETMnN8HE
Meanwhile, as of Wednesday morning, the Navy said that 184 personnel of barge P305 have been rescued and INS Kochi and INS Kolkata are returning to Mumbai harbour with the rescuees.
After being trapped in Cyclone Tauktae, the four vessels started sending distress signals to the Coast Guard, the shipping ministry control room, and their own control room.
However, a total of 637 men have been rescued from their vessels that went adrift in gale-force winds and high waves in the Arabian Sea during Monday’s Cyclone Tauktae, but the rescue operation is still underway as at least 89 more men are missing, officials said.
All the 137 personnel on barge GAL Constructor were rescued on Tuesday, May 18, by the Navy and Coast Guard. The 202 personnel on barge SS03 and 101 personnel on board oil rig Sagar Bhushan are safe, the official said.
The accommodation barge P305 which was servicing ONGC offshore operations sank on Monday evening, May 17 at 7 pm.
Cyclone Tauktae is being labelled as one of the most powerful storms to emerge out Arabian Sea. It has caused a lot of damage in Mumbai and a lot of trees were uprooted at many places in the city. Moreover, banner hoardings collapsed on vehicles in some parts of Mumbai.
Furthermore, many people were seriously injured due to the storm. According to reports, eight people were injured in various rain-related incidents in Chembur, Borivali and Andheri areas in Mumbai. Three of them have been admitted to the hospital and their condition is stable. The remaining five injured were treated and sent home.