Armed forces rescue tourists stranded in Havelock Island

The Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) ferried stranded tourists from Havelock Island to Port Blair, braving rough sea and heavy rains, a statement said today.
A message was received from the civil administration yesterday that several tourists were stranded in Havelock Island after the cancellation of 'Makruzz', a boat meant for ferrying civilians, due to a defect in the hull.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been experiencing heavy rains and very rough seas since September 13.
It was also intimated that a number of passengers, who had their flights scheduled for this morning, were stranded and required to be brought to Port Blair, the capital of the archipelago.

As the civil ferries to Havelock Island do not ply at night, the ANC had been approached for ferrying the stranded tourists.
"Two naval ships -- INS Bangaram and INS Battimalv (fast attack craft class) -- were sailed for the mission despite torrential rains and very rough weather," the statement said.

Twenty-four tourists were ferried to Port Blair.
Additionally, 54 officers from Defence Services Staff College, who are on a visit to the islands and got stranded due to the cancellation of 'Makruzz', also embarked on the two ships.
The Port Blair-based Andaman and Nicobar Command is a joint command of the Indian Armed Forces.