Cyclone Tauktae caused Barge P-305 to sink 35 nautical miles (NM) off Mumbai coast. Twenty-two bodies have been recovered and 53 are still missing.
“INS Kochi has returned to Mumbai harbour with 186 rescued from the barge, two rescued from a tug Varaprada as well the 22 bodies. Search and Rescue effort continues for the remaining personnel,” a Navy spokesperson said.
INS Teg, Betwa and Beas, P-8I aircraft and Sea King helicopters were continuing with the Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, the spokesperson said.
According to the Coast Guard, Sagar Bhushan, with 101 personnel onboard, reported the loss of all eight anchors 63 NM North West of Mumbai and was adrift while ONGC work barge SS-3, with 202 personnel onboard, was adrift 58 NM West of Mumbai.