Chopper with ONGC officials crashes off Mumbai coast, five dead

Seven people were onboard when the mishap occurred.

Currently, four Indian Naval ships (Teg, Tarasa,  T 11 and T 45) are undertaking search in the area.

"INS Teg also has Chetak helicopter and Diving teams embarked onboard to augment the search efforts," read an official statement issued by the government.

Speaking further on the search operation, the statement said: "One IN Dornier aircraft has completed the search and one P8I Long Range aircraft has conjoined the search with two SAR kits. In addition, two Seaking helicopters are involved in the SAR efforts in rotation from Naval Air Station Shikra. Further, Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft are also deployed for SAR."

It said: "INS Makar, a special hydrographic ship, has left Karwar to augment the search for any sunken wreck from tomorrow onwards. Additional ships and aircraft are being kept ready at Mumbai for deployment as and when required. "

Speaking on the number of deceased, the statement said: "Five bodies recovered so far along with debris are being transferred to Mumbai by an ONGC MSV HAL ANANT."

The crash took place between between 10:30 and 11:00 am.

The ONGC had earlier tweeted:"A Pawan Hans Helicopter carrying five senior ONGC officers to Offshore from Juhu Helibase went missing around 10.40 hours today."

ONGC said it pressed its helicopter and speedboats for search operation as soon as the information was received by the Helibase Control Room