In an expedited search and rescue (SAR) mission carried out on Tuesday, troops of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) have saved 15 Syrian mariners from the foreign-flag merchant ship, MV Princess Miral that ran aground off New Mangalore, stated an official release on Wednesday, June 22.
The crew of MV Princess Moral abandoned the ship following a breach in the hull, which further led to the ingress of water, and the vessel ran aground on Tuesday.
Following this, the crew members raised a rescue call to the nearby areas after which Indian Coast Guard ships 'Vikram' and 'Amartya' braved rough waters and weather conditions to reach the foreign vessel and carry out the rescue operation. The ships rescued all the15 Syrian crew members from MV Princess Miral, the ICG statement added.
Notably, the foreign ship had hit the coast on June 21 due to difficult weather conditions, following which it got stuck. The crew members abandoned the ship and were waiting to be rescued.