No signs of debris, survivors yet; search for AN-32 aircraft continues: Coast Guard

Coast Guard says search operations carried out with vessels and through aerial route as well

The search for Indian Air Force’s missing AN-32 aircraft continues in the expanded area, the Coast Guard announced on Monday. 

“We have not been able to locate any debris or survivor till now,” Rajan Bargotra, IG, Coast Guard, informed the media in Chennai. 

“This is the fourth day of the search operation. The search has been intensified and has been expanded based on the surface drift. As far as today is concerned, there are vessels carrying out the search. Aerial search is being carried out as well,” he added. 

The aircraft was carrying 29 people on board. It had taken off from Tambaram Air Force Station at 8.30 am on Friday and was set to reach Port Blair around 11:45 am. However, after flying for some time, the aircraft went off the radar, about 151 nautical miles of Chennai coast. It was believed to be flying at 23,000 feet. 

 

Of the people on board, six were crew members, eleven were personnel from the Indian Air Force, two were from the Indian Army and one person was from the Indian Coast Guard.