Indian coast guards rescue 27 from flooded barge off Karnataka coast

Indian coast guard members Sunday rescued 27 workers from a flooded barge off coast in southern Indian state of Karnataka, officials said.

The barge flooded in the Arabian sea off Ullal coast in Dakshina Kannada, west of Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka.

Reports said the barrage hit rock following which it flooded and began to sink with 27 people on board.

"The vessel, Dredger Ibis, was reported to be in distress on Saturday evening, following which the coast guard swung into action and rescued four people," a senior police official said.

"Due to inclement weather, the rescue operation had to be put on hold temporarily. However, the operation resumed today morning and remaining 24 crew members stuck on the barge were saved."

India's official broadcaster All India Radio said a lifeboat was used to rescue the stranded men instead of the earlier plan to use a helicopter to airlift the stranded crew.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)