182 pilgrims rescued as WB ferry runs aground

New Delhi, January 16

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The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Tuesday rescued 182 stranded pilgrims on board a ferry off Kakdwip in West Bengal, a statement said

Merchant vessel ‘Swasthya Sathi’ was ferrying about 400 pilgrims from Sagar Island, where the Ganga Sagar mela is being held, to Kakdwip when it ran aground due to extremely poor visibility, the Ministry of Defence said. The South 24 Parganas District Magistrate sought the help of the ICG, which dispatched two hovercraft from Haldia and Sagar. The teams evacuated 182 pilgrims before guiding the boat with the remaining pilgrims to a safe destination.

The ICG had already deployed sea-borne units at various locations in view of the mela.