Navy assists Kozhikode admn. for relief work in fire accident

Kochi, Apr 5 (UNI) Two Dornier aircraft from INS Garuda and a naval helicopter were pressed into service to help the civil administration in the relief work in the S M Street fire in Kozhikode, which claimed at least four lives and left 50 hurt today.

The aircraft, which were on a training sortie, were recalled and sent to the accident site with medical supplies and a medical team comprising 11 members, including two doctors led by Surgeon Cdr R Koshi.

Cdr C Suresh also accompanied the team to liaise with the civil authorities at Kozhikode. A naval helicopter was also launched with additional medical supplies, a spokesman for the Southern Naval Command here said.

He said following the fire this morning, the civil administration requested the Southern Naval Command for the services of a helicopter to help in fighting the fire.

Since the Navy was not equipped with helicopters for fire fighting purposes, RAdm Rajender Singh, Chief of Staff of the Southern Naval Command, directed two Dornier aircraft from INS Garuda, Kochi, to be sent to Kozhikode with a medical team.

UNI