AN-32 crash: IAF says bad weather is delaying the retrieval of bodies, families kept in contact
The Indian Air Force (IAF) today said that efforts to retrieve the mortal remains of the 13 personnel in the Antonov-32 (AN-32) flight which crashed in Arunachal Pradesh have commenced but the progress is getting hampered due to turbulent weather in the region.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) today said that efforts to retrieve the mortal remains of the 13 personnel in the Antonov-32 (AN-32) flight which crashed in Arunachal Pradesh have commenced but the progress is getting hampered due to turbulent weather in the region.
Wing Commander Puneet Chadha said that even though the area where the retrieval operation is underway had low clouds associated with rain, ALH and Cheetah helicopters of the IAF were on standby to commence operations as soon as the weather conditions cleared.
He also said that family members of the deceased were being kept in constant contact for updates regarding the ongoing rescue operation and challenges about the weather.
Deputy Commissioner of Siang District Rajeev Takuk had earlier said that the crash site was wedged inside a gorge in a thickly forested area. To provide support to the 15-member team sent in amid the continuous downpour to retrieve the bodies, three more local mountaineers had been air-dropped.
The Russian-origin aircraft went missing on the afternoon of June 3, around 33 minutes after taking off from Jorhat in Assam for Menchuka in Arunachal Pradesh.