Indian Coast Guard chopper crashlands near Mumbai

A Chetak helicopter of the Indian Coast Guard crashlanded near Mumbai on Saturday, an official said adding that all the crew members were safe, though one pilot sustained minor injuries.

The helicopter was on a routine patrol off the coast south of Mumbai when it crash-landed six nautical miles north of Murud, near Alibaug, at around 2.50 p.m. on Saturday.

A spokesperson of the Indian Coast Guard said the helicopter made an emergency landing.

The Coast Guard said the crew experienced technical difficulties around 25 minutes after taking off.

"The crew managed to land the helicopter avoiding populated areas and the sea crew has sustained minor injuries," the Coast Guard said in a statement.

The crew was rescued by the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.

A statement from the Indian Navy, meanwhile, said the four crew members of the ICG helicopter were "rescued from the scene of the crash" and were flown to Naval Hospital INHS Asvini at Mumbai. One pilot suffered minor injuries and is being treated at the hospital.

The Indian Navy launched two Chetak helicopters and a SeaKing 'C' helicopter on a Search and Rescue mission and located the ICG helicopter.

One ICG Chetak and an Air Force Mi 17 helicopter were also part of the search effort.

--IANS

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