3 Dead As Coast Guard Helicopter Crashes At Gujarat's Porbandar Airport

An Indian Coast Guard helicopter crashed at Porbandar Airport during a training sortie, killing three personnel, including two pilots.

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In a major accident, an Indian Coast Guard helicopter ALH Dhruv crashed today at Gujarat's Porbandar Airport during a routine training sortie. As per initial information, three personnel, including two pilots, have lost their lives. As soon as the chopper hit the ground, it caught fire and a cloud of smoke started coming out.

BREAKING | पोरबंदर में हुए हेलिकॉप्टर क्रैश में 3 लोगों की हुई मौत, रेस्क्यू ऑपरेशन जारी @vishalpandeyk | https://t.co/smwhXUROiK#Topnews #Politics #LatestUpdates #ABPNews pic.twitter.com/K9ou29LQwT

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Porbandar DM SD Dhanani, while talking to ABP News, said that three people have died in this accident. He said that the rescue operation at the spot has ended. Immediately after the accident, fire brigade and medical team reached the spot.

The Indian Express has reported that Porbandar Superintendent of Police Bhagirathsinh Jadeja said the incident took place at 12.10 pm on Sunday.  The three crew members were brought out of the chopper and rushed to a hospital in Porbandar in a severely burnt condition, he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. Later, Kamala Baug police station’s inspector Rajesh Kanmiya confirmed that all the three of them died at the hospital.

The Indian Coast Guard is investigating the incident, and further details are awaited.

ALH Dhruv is a twin-engine helicopter manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It was designed to meet emergency needs such as military and floods. It has been in service since 2002.

Earlier also, on September 2, 2024, the Indian Coast Guard's Advanced Light Helicopter fell in the Arabian Sea near Porbandar coast.  In this accident, one of the four crew members was rescued. 

On March 26, 2023, an emergency landing was made during the test of the Indian Coast Guard's Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv Mark 3 near Cochin International Airport in Kerala. In this accident, a trainee pilot's arm was broken.