Indian Coast Guard Rescues 11 Crew Members After Cargo Ship Sinks Off West Bengal

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has rescued 11 crew members from the cargo ship ITT Puma, which sank off the coast of West Bengal while en route from Kolkata to Port Blair. The rescue operation began on Sunday, August 25th, after the Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Chennai received a distress signal from the vessel. Despite harsh weather conditions, the search continues for three missing crew members.

ICG vessels Sarang and Amogh, along with a Dornier maritime patrol aircraft, were quickly deployed by the ICG’s Regional Headquarters in Kolkata. The Dornier, equipped with night-capable sensors, reached the search area around 7:50 pm, where it detected adrift life rafts and crew members signaling with red flares. The aircraft guided the ICG ships to the location, leading to the successful recovery of the survivors.

The MV ITT Puma reportedly sank 90 nautical miles south of Sagar Island. The operation, which extended into the early hours of Monday, marks a significant sea-air coordinated rescue effort by the ICG.