Torpedo Vessel sinking: Malkapuram police registers case

The Malkapuram police here today registered a case in connection with the death of a sailor after a Torpedo Recovery Vessel (TRV) of the Indian Navy sunk off the Vizag coast.

Based on the report lodged by the Eastern Naval Command, the police registered a case under section 174 CrPC (Police to enquire and report on suicide), Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) G Ramgopal Naik told PTI.

He said twenty four personnel out of the 29 crew members on board the 31-year-old vessel were rescued while one sailor died and navy was carrying out search for remaining four missing persons.

The auxiliary ship sank last night to a depth of about 370 metres and about 35 knot miles south of Visakhapatnam. The vessel was deployed for a routine mission to recover practice torpedoes fired by fleet ships during a routine exercise.

Meanwhile, naval authorities here were tight-lipped on providing information on the incident stating that they will release a press release in late evening.

Earlier today, the Navy ordered a Board of Inquiry into the sinking of the vessel.

Also, in view of the incident, Navy Chief Admiral R K Dhowan, who is on a four-day visit to Seychelles till November 9, is cutting short his visit to reach Visakhapatnam, Navy officials said.