Kollam tragedy: Navy, Coast Guard act swiftly

KOCHI: The Southern Naval Command at Kochi and Coast Guard stations at Kochi and Vizhinjam pressed into action their medical and disaster management teams along with equipment and materials using ships and aircraft, to Kollam tragedy site.

Navy deployed two Dornier fixed wing aircraft, two ALH helicopters, two Chetak helicopters and three IN ships namely Kabra, Kalpeni and Sunayna. Two ALH with a nine-member medical team along with three doctors, paramedics, supplies and equipment were rushed to the scene at 11.30 am. The helicopters landed at the Ashramam ground, Kollam at 12.00 noon.

One Dornier aircraft from Kochi was positioned at Air Force station, Thiruvanantha-puram since noon.  Rest of the aircraft stood by at Kochi for any emergency need. IN ships Sunayna, Kabra and Kalpeni sailed immediately from Kochi with 200 kg of medical supplies and medical team.

"INS Kabra and Kalpeni reached alongside Kollam jetty at 4 pm while INS Sunayna is off to Kollam and is awaiting instructions as per situation," said a Navy official.

“The medical supplies have been handed over to the local administration. Ships have kept blood donors ready to meet emerging requirements of blood.” A relief camp has been set up at Kollam to coordinate all relief activities by the Navy. Ships as well as medical teams have been directed to remain at Kollam for rendering assistance.

The Coast Guard (CG) interceptor boat C-427 and interceptor craft from Vizhinjam harbour were instantaneously sailed out with maximum Coast Guard personnel and entered Thangassery harbour (Kollam district) for rendering assistance and support to the district administration. The CG medical team along with medical kits went to the disaster site from Coast Guard station, Vizhinjam.