New Delhi: Apprehensions grew over the fate of the missing IAF transport aircraft with 29 people on board as search teams were yet to find any trace of the AN 32 plane while efforts were intensified on Saturday over the Bay of Bengal where inclement weather appeared to be a hurdle. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who arrived in Chennai on Saturday morning to take stock of the situation, undertook a two-hour aerial survey with as many as 18 navy and coast guard ships including a submarine, and eight aircraft like P 81, C 130 and Dorniers pressed into search operations.

The AN 32 transport aircraft which went missing on Friday soon after taking off from Tambaram air base for Port Blair. Personally monitoring the operation, Parrikar reviewed the utilisation of assets and resources to find the plane even as he instructed that more resources would be diverted to the effort, if necessary, defence sources said. He was apprised of the difficult conditions under which operations were being carried out during the last 24 hours. The sea is very rough and there is thick cloud cover in the area, sources said, adding he has directed all Commanders to be in touch with families and provide them with information that may be required, they said.