Pawan Hans helicopter, with 7 onboard, crashes into sea in Andaman; all rescued

NEW DELHI: A Pawan Hans helicopter carrying seven people, including two pilots, crashed into the sea near Mayabunder in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Tuesday morning.The helicopter had taken off from Sri Vijaya Puram around 8.45 am and went down in the sea near Mayabunder at about 9.30 am. “A preliminary inquiry revealed that there was some technical snag, and the pilot made a crash-landing on the sea,” a senior Civil Aviation official said, as quoted by PTI.The passengers on board included three men, one woman, one child, and the two pilots. The rescued passengers—Rajita Devi and her infant Kamal Ch. Das, Sipra Saha, and Nambi Amma—have been admitted to Dr. RP Hospital in Mayabunder, where they are under observation and treatment. The pilots are also safe, local authorities said.“Around 9:30 a.m. today, a Pawan Hans helicopter experienced a short landing incident near Mayabunder in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The helicopter had taken off from Port Blair with two crew members and five passengers on board. All have been rescued and are safe. No injuries have been reported,” a Pawan Hans spokesperson said.The spokesperson added, “All necessary safety protocols were followed, and authorities ensured the well-being of the crew and passengers,” as quoted by ANI.Authorities are assessing the situation, and further details regarding the cause and circumstances of the incident are awaited.