New Delhi, May 17 : The Indian Navy today evening informed that it has rescued 38 personnel so far from the Barge P 305 of ONGC’s Bombay High Oil fields while INS Kochi and Kolkata has been continuing with Search and Rescue Operation in the extremely challenging condition due to extremely severe cyclonic storm Tauktae.

Earlier the day, responding to an SOS message received, the Indian Navy dispatched its INS Kochi for SAR Operation to assist 273 ONGC personnel at Bombay High areas wherein a barge carrying these people adrift off of Heera Oil fields.

Soon after sending the INS Kochi, it received another SOS message from the another Barge GAL constructor carrying 137 people near Bombay High oil fields about eight nautical miles from Mumbai in the Arabian Sea and dispatched its another asset INS Kolkata for Search and Rescue (SAR) Operation.

“On receipt of a request for assistance for a Barge ‘P305’ adrift off Heera Oil Fields in Bombay High area with 273 personnel onboard, INS Kochi was swiftly sailed with despatch for Search and Rescue (SAR) assistance whereas INS Talwar is also preparing to sail out”, the Navy spokesperson said.

Several other ships and aircraft have also been readied for High Availability Disaster Recovery (HADR) tasking in the wake of Cyclone Tauktae, he further said.

These Oil fields are around 70 km southwest of Mumbai in Arabian Sea.(UNI)