Indian Coast Guard Saves Bangladeshi Sailor in Midnight Andaman Rescue
A 36-year-old crew member was airlifted after suffering severe head and spinal injuries aboard MV AMRIS in rough seas.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) executed a high-risk night-time rescue operation to save a 36-year-old Bangladeshi crew member from the bulk carrier MV AMRIS off Diglipur in the North Andaman Islands, after the sailor suffered severe head and spinal injuries in a fall on board.
The incident unfolded during the intervening night of September 20-21, when the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Sri Vijaya Puram received an emergency alert about the injured crew member. The ICG’s regional headquarters in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands swiftly coordinated the response, deploying Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Rajdoot to the scene.
Rough seas and darkness compounded the challenges, but the ICG team managed to safely embark the injured sailor and transport him to Diglipur Harbour. From there, an Indian Navy aircraft airlifted him to Sri Vijaya Puram for urgent medical treatment at GB GB Pant Hospital.
The operation began when MRCC Sri Vijaya Puram relayed the distress call to the ICG’s Andaman and Nicobar headquarters.
“In Darkness and Rough Seas, Courage Meets Compassion,” the ICG later stated in a post on X. “ICG Ship Rajdoot braved rough seas to safely embark a 36-year-old Bangladeshi crew member of MV AMRIS, who sustained severe head and spinal injuries following a fall onboard.”
The injured sailor was first stabilised at Diglipur Harbour before being airlifted by the Indian Navy to Sri Vijaya Puram, where he was admitted to GB GB Pant Hospital for definitive medical care. The ICG confirmed that the evacuation was a result of “seamless inter-service coordination” between the Coast Guard and the Navy.
This rescue underscores the dangers faced by seafarers, particularly in remote and challenging environments like the Andaman Sea.
On September 12, the ICG evacuated 21 of the 24 crew members from the merchant vessel MV KMAX EMPEROR after it collided with MV TRUE MARINER off OTB Kandla in Gujarat. Three crew members remained on board to assist with vessel operations, as confirmed by Defence PRO Chennai.
“On receipt of information from MRCC Sri Vijaya Puram, @IndiaCoastGuard HQ (A&N) swiftly coordinated a high-stakes night-time #MEDEVAC off Diglipur on the intervening night of 20-21 Sep 2026. ICG Ship Rajdoot braved rough seas to safely embark a 36-year-old Bangladeshi crew member of MV AMRIS, who sustained severe head and spinal injuries following a fall onboard.”
Indian Coast Guard·Maritime Rescue Authority
Falls from heights, equipment malfunctions, and medical emergencies are among the leading causes of injuries at sea. While the ICG and other maritime authorities continue to improve their response times, the onus remains on vessel operators to ensure that crews are trained and equipped to handle emergencies.
The MV AMRIS incident also raises questions about the adequacy of medical facilities in remote maritime regions. While GB GB Pant Hospital in Sri Vijaya Puram is a well-regarded medical centre, the time-sensitive nature of severe injuries like those sustained by the Bangladeshi sailor underscores the need for faster access to advanced care. Air evacuations, while effective, are resource-intensive and dependent on weather conditions, a limitation that can prove fatal in critical cases.
As of now, the ICG has not provided further details on the sailor’s condition or the circumstances that led to his fall. The investigation into the incident is likely ongoing, with authorities focusing on both the immediate cause of the accident and broader safety measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The rescue of the Bangladeshi crew member is a testament to the ICG’s commitment to safeguarding lives at sea. Yet, it also highlights the precarious nature of maritime work and the urgent need for enhanced safety measures, better training, and faster medical response mechanisms in one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes.
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