Indian Navy's Abhilash Tommy, who circumnagivated globe, injured after yacht struck by storm

Indian Navy officer, Abhilash Tommy, who hit headlines for circumnavigated the world, was injured after his yacht was struck by a storm during his current 'Golden Globe' circumnavigation race, organisers said late Friday.

However, Tommy's Twitter handle confirmed on Saturday morning that while he was injured, he was safe.

#UPDATE Commander Abhilash Tomy was dismasted in extremely rough weather and sea condition. He is in the south Indian Ocean, approximately 1900 nautical miles from Perth, Australia. INS Satpura has been dispatched for the rescue mission: Indian Navy https://t.co/86vo4zUtQT

— ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2018

After some media reports late on Friday night said Tommy was missing after being injured, his Twitter handle informed on Saturday that he sustained serious back injuries but was safe. The handle tweeted, “Abhilash has sustained some serious back injuries, however he says he's safe inside the boat. Indian Navy is doing their best as they always have. His tracker is working. He has activated the EPIRB. Help is on its way.”

Thank you for your support and concern in these trying times. Abhilash has sustained some serious back injuries, however he says he's safe inside the boat. Indian Navy is doing their best as they always have. His tracker is working. He has activated the EPIRB. Help is on its way.

— Abhilash Tommy (@abhilashtomy) September 22, 2018

According to a report in The Week, the yachts of Tommy and Ireland's Gregory McGuckin were dismasted by 70-knot winds and 14m-high seas. Race organisers had informed earlier that other participants had been asked to move towards Tomy's position.

Rescue efforts led by Australian Defence Forces are underway off Perth to find 39-year old Indian Golden Globe Race skipper Abhilash Tomy. He is a serving Indian Naval Flying Officer. Golden Globe Race is a sailing race around the world that started on 1 July from France. pic.twitter.com/3tsgTGaBr9

— ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2018

Both Tomy and McGuckin are some 1,900 miles west of Cape Leeuwin, West Australia, the race organisers said. McGuckin, whose yacht is believed to be nearest to Tommy's vessel, had informed organisers that he had sufficient fuel to move towards the Indian Navy officer's location if conditions improved.

Since Tomy commenced his latest circumnavigation effort, his Twitter handle has been posting routine updates about his adventure and experiences.

With PTI inputs