Fire on Coast Guard vessel, one missing, 28 rescued

Visakhapatnam (1 MIN READ): One crew member of Coast Guard was missing while 28 were rescued after a major fire broke out on an offshore support vessel off Visakhapatnam coast on Monday.

According to a spokesperson of Eastern Naval Command, crew of offshore support vessel Coastal Jaguar had to abandon their vessel and jump into water to save themselves from fire which engulfed the vessel.

#WATCH Visakhapatnam: At 11:30 am today, 29 crew members of Offshore Support Vessel Coastal Jaguar jumped into water after a fire engulfed the vessel. 28 rescued by Indian Coast Guard. Search for 1 missing crew underway. Exact cause of fire yet to be ascertained. #AndhraPradesh pic.twitter.com/pksYGrC9ZE

— ANI (@ANI) August 12, 2019

“There was reportedly a loud explosion onboard Coastal Jaguar that was followed by thick smoke emanating from the vessel,” he said.

ICGS Rani Rashmoni which was in area was diverted to coordinate the rescue operation. Rani Rashmoni in coordination with Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) boats rescued the distressed crew.

“28 out of the 29 crew present on board have been rescued, search for one missing crew is in progress,” the spokesperson said.

Dramatic scenes of the crew jumping into the sea to save themselves and the rescue operations by the ships were witnessed.

The rescue operations also involved ICGS Samudra Paheredar, ICG Helicopter and ICGS C-432.

The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

Published on: Aug 12, 2019 at 15:32 IST

IANS