From "The Times of India"
At least 25 people are missing after a helicopter carrying 29 ONGC staffers crashed into the Arabian sea three minutes after takeoff from the jackup rig Sagar Kiran, 35 kms from here, on Monday.
The MI-72 chopper owned by private firm Mesco was ferrying ONGC staff from drilling rig Sagar Kiran when it crashed at 12.18 pm, airport officials said.
Three people survived the crash, officials said. According to officials at Juhu helibase, one body has been recovered so far which is being flown to Mumbai.
The helicopter plunged into the sea less than 500 metres after it had taken off from Sagar Kiran for Sagar Jyoti in western offshore Neelam asset.
Union Petroleum Minister Ram Naik is rushing to the city even as senior ONGC team have rushed to the site of the mishap. Three vessels from the ONGC along with two helicopters and Indian Navy personnel have been deployed for search and rescue operations, airport and ONGC officials said here.
There were four crew members on board the chopper, which was under the command of Cap Jaiswal, the sources said.