India sends ships, aircraft to battle oil tanker fire off Lanka

The Indian Coast Guard has sent ships Shaurya, Sarang, Samudra Paheredar & Dornier aircraft for fire fighting on the oil tanker 'MT New Diamond' 37 nautical miles east off Sri Lanka coast.

New Delhi: The Indian Coast Guard on Thursday said it has pressed into action its three ships and a Dornier aircraft after the Sri Lankan Navy sought assistance to control a fire on board an oil tanker off the east coast of the island nation.

In a swift sea and air coordinated Search and Rescue (SAR) operation, the Coast Guard said it immediately diverted ICG Ships Shaurya, Sarang and Samudra Paheredar, besides a Dornier aircraft for the firefight on the oil tanker New Diamond.

"Assistance sought by Sri Lanka Navy from @IndiaCoastGuard for fire and explosion on board Oil Tanker #MTNewDiamond 37 NM east off Sri Lanka coast. ICG ships and aircraft deployed for immediate assistance, it said in a tweet.

"@IndiaCoastGuard in a swift Sea & Air Coordinated #SAR operation immediately diverted #ICG Ships Shaurya, Sarang, Samudra Paheredar & Dornier Aircraft for firefighting on Oil Tanker #MTNewDiamond," the Indian Coast Guard tweeted.

PTI