Panaji: In a swift operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) successfully rescued an Iranian fisherman who sustained critical injuries following an explosion aboard an Iranian fishing vessel. The incident occurred in the Arabian Sea, and the injured individual was transported to Goa for immediate medical treatment.
The fisherman suffered severe damage to both his eyes and a deep laceration to his right ear. The explosion reportedly happened during a fuel transfer operation on the Iranian fishing dhow, named Al-Owais, which had also experienced engine failure. He is currently receiving care at the Goa Medical College and Hospital.
A long-range Naval helicopter was dispatched from Goa to retrieve the fisherman from the ICGS Sachet, a Coast Guard vessel located approximately 180 km off the Goa coast. The helicopter successfully landed with the injured national, who was then transferred to the Goa Medical College Hospital for further medical management.
Coast Guard officials confirmed they received a distress call indicating a need for medical evacuation from the Al-Owais. The fishing dhow was located about 1,500 km west of the Indian coast in the Arabian Sea. Following the distress call, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Mumbai alerted nearby vessels. The crude oil tanker ‘MT STI Grace’, being the closest vessel, was diverted to provide initial assistance and medical aid, including ICG telemedicine support, to the injured fisherman.
The fisherman’s medical condition was closely monitored around the clock during transit. Despite initial stabilization efforts onboard MT STI Grace, his condition deteriorated, prompting the airlift by the Naval helicopter on October 29.