11 crew members rescued from ship sinking off Andaman Nicobar Islands

CHENNAI: The Indian Coast Guard rescued 11 crew members of a merchant ship that sank off the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Thursday. No casualty was reported.

The ITT Panther, which left Kolkata Port on July 15, was sailing near the islands when it began to sink. The vessel was going to Port Blair.

Soon after distress signals were received, the Coast Guard sent its ships and aircraft to carry out the rescue operation.

The crew was rescued from a life boat which was spotted in the sea near the reported location of the ship. A defence official said the crew had managed to escape on a life boat from the sinking ship.The ship was carrying general cargo and was built in 1985.