Indian Navy assures safety of 800 tourists stuck on Havelock Island

The Indian Navy on Wednesday said that ships have already reached Havelock Islands and assured that as soon as the weather gets normal, evacuation of tourists will take place and they will be brought to Port Blaire safely.

"We received a request from the Andaman and Nicobar administration and we have acted immediately and swiftly. Around 800 tourists are stuck there. From 3 o' clock in the morning, we have sent four ships. INS Kumbhir, INS Bitra, INS Bangaram and LCU 38 ships have already reached there. But unfortunately the weather is very bad and the ships can't reach the berth," D.K. Sharma Navy PRO told ANI.

He further said the evacuation hasn't started yet because of heavy winds and a rough sea.

"I assure that as soon as the weather gets normal, evacuation will start and everybody will be brought to Port Blair safely and securely. We are waiting for the right moment and the right opportunity to start the evacuation. Four ships are already there. Two of them are landing crafts, one big landing craft LST (Landing ship tank) where a lot of people can come inside, a smaller one LCU 38 and two are Bangaram and Bitra faster aircrafts." Sharma added.