- By Abhirupa Kundu
- Sun, 24 Dec 2023 06:55 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
The commercial vessel that became the target of a drone attack off the coast of India on Saturday has now started moving and Indian Coast Guard patrol ship ICGS Vikarm is expected to rendezvous with it around 10 PM tonight, the Coast Guard informed. The distressed ship, MV Chem Pluto, has also requested to be escorted by ICGS Vikram and is expected to reach Mumbai by early December 25, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) added.
The Indian Navy's P-81 maritine surveillance aircraft and Indian Coast Guard vessels have already established communication with the distressed merchant vessel, MV Chem Pluto, after taking off fromn the INS Hansa naval air base in Goa. The Indian Navy warship which is currently moving towards the vessel is expected to reach the attacked ship in the next couple of hours, Navy officials said.
The MV Chem Pluto was struck by a drone causing an explosion and fire within the vessel in the Arabian Sea off India's coast. According to UKMTO (United Kingdom Trade Operations) officials, an attack caused by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle aboard a ship 200 nautical miles (around 370 km) from Veraval in Gir Somnath district of Gujarat, caused an explosion and fire.
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Here Are The Top Updates Of MV Chem Pluto Vessel Drone Attack:
-"MV Chem Pluto has started moving at a speed of around 11 nautical miles per hour and Indian Coast Guard ship ICGS Vikram is likely to rendezvous with it around 10 PM tonight. MV Chem Pluto has also requested to be escorted by ICGS Vikram and is expected to reach Mumbai by early December 25," ICG officials stated.
-The merchant ship, Liberian oil tanker, was headed for Mangalore from a port in Saudi Arabia with crude oil. It was struck by the drone in the Arabian sea 217 nautical miles off the Porbandar coast.
-The fire in the vessel was established soon after the incident and it was reported that all the crew members are safe.
-The UKMTO said that the authorities are currently investigating the incident and vessels have been advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to the organisation.
-The 20 Indian crew members onvoard the merchant vessel have been reported to be safe.
-Taking swift action, the Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS Vikram, deployed on patrol of the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone started moving towards the merchant vessel MV Chem Pluto in distress.
-ICGS Vikram was on patrol of the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone when it was directed towards the merchant ship in distress.
-The incident comes days after the Indian Navy rescued a sailor from Malta-flagged cargo vessel hijacked by six "pirates".
