Navy chief reviews rescue operation in Visakhapatnam

Navy chief Admiral R.K. Dhowan on Sunday reached Visakhapatnam, where an auxiliary ship sank Thursday, and reviewed the ongoing search and rescue operations.

Dhowan, who was in Seychelles when the torpedo recovery vessel (TRV A-72) sank off Visakhapatnam coast Thursday night, cut short his visit and came to the Eastern Naval Command headquarters to review the search and rescue operation for four missing sailors, including an officer, a navy official said.

He will also meet the family of sailor James Jacob, who died in the accident, and the families of others missing sailors.

The navy chief will also meet the rescue crew. Day and night search operations are on, involving nine ships of the Eastern Fleet and aircraft including Boeing P8I, Dorniers, Sea King 42C and Chetak helicopters.

As per initial reports, the probable reason for the sinking of the vessel seems to be ingress of sea water (flooding) in the engine room and aft steering compartment of the vessel.

-IANS