4 killed in India when helicopter crash lands in Arabian Sea

By Ahmad Adil

NEW DELHI (AA) - Four people were killed when a helicopter, with nine people aboard, including two pilots, made an emergency landing Tuesday off the Mumbai coast in western India.

“Four persons rescued by Navy chopper were brought to the base unconsciously and taken to the hospital. Unfortunately, they could not survive,” said a statement from India's state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).

It said the chopper, operated by ONGC, made an emergency landing on the Arabian Sea from the ONGC offshore rig Sagar Kiran.

An inquiry has been ordered, said officials.

Soon after the landing, a rescue operation was launched.

“Despite inclement weather conditions, the rescue operations were carried out very swiftly. The Navy also deputed its vessels and chopper while the Coast Guard diverted its vessels and an aircraft," it added.