19 January,2026 10:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Indian Coast Guard during medical evacuation operation
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Monday carried out a swift and coordinated medical evacuation operation after they received an urgent medical evacuation request from the UT Lakshadweep administration to save the life of a critically ill patient from Agatti Island in the Lakshadweep Islands.
Considering the critical nature of the medical emergency, the Coast Guard immediately activated its emergency response mechanism.
An ICG Dornier aircraft from Kochi was tasked to execute the operation by retrofitting ICG Dornier aircraft to Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) configuration to provide advanced life support to the patient during transit.
An ICG Dornier aircraft based at Kochi was tasked for the mission and was rapidly retrofitted into a Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) configuration to provide advanced life support to the patient during transit. The aircrew completed the modifications in record time and took off from Kochi at around 11 am.
The aircraft landed at Agatti Island, where the patient was swiftly embarked with continuous medical support onboard.
Furthermore, the Coast Guard team ensured a smooth and time-bound evacuation, flying the patient back to Kochi under constant monitoring.
As per the information shared, the Dornier aircraft landed at Kochi airport at approximately 2:20 pm, following which the patient was immediately shifted to Aster Medcity Hospital for advanced medical treatment.
Officials said the operation, one among several MEDEVAC missions undertaken by the Indian Coast Guard, demonstrated the force's high state of preparedness and rapid response capability.
They also highlighted the strong coordination and cooperation between the Indian Coast Guard and the Union Territory administration of Lakshadweep.
The Indian Coast Guard reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives, particularly in remote and island territories, by providing timely assistance during medical and humanitarian emergencies.
Earlier last month, The Indian Coast Guard conducted a Regional Level Pollution Response Exercise (RPREX-25) off the coast of Mumbai to test and validate the preparedness of stakeholders in combating oil spills at sea.
With increasing maritime trade in the Indian Ocean region, the threat of marine pollution remains a significant concern. Oil spills pose severe environmental risks, especially if the oil reaches the shore. Effective response requires coordination among multiple agencies along India's vast coastline. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) acts as the central coordinating authority for oil spill prevention and response in Indian waters.
