A Sri Lankan national, who developed a critical heart condition while fishing mid-sea on board a fishing vessel off Chennai coast, was rescued and airlifted to Chennai in a helicopter by the Indian Coast Guard.
According to an official spokesperson, the Coast Guard evacuated him from the fishing vessel about 100 nautical miles off Chennai.
The boat went “adrift at sea due to engine failure” on 28 March. The Coast Guard is coordinating with authorities in Colombo for an early return of the boat. “The patient was evacuated by ICGS Rani Abakka at sea and, subsequently, airlifted by ICG ALH Mk-III helicopter deployed from the the ICG air station at Chennai. He was handed over to officials from the Sri Lankan diplomatic mission for further treatment,” the official said.