New Delhi: In a major breakthrough in the ongoing maritime search and rescue operation, the Indian Coast Guard on Thursday safely brought two Chinese nationals rescued at sea to Paradip and handed them over to authorised representatives of their company.

The two survivors, Pan Tonglai and Chen Jianhe, were rescued from a lifecraft by Indian Coast Guard personnel on August 22. They were brought to Paradip aboard Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Varad on Thursday.

The two Chinese nationals received medical care onboard during the transit. Upon arrival at Paradip, they were handed over to authorised company representatives in the presence of officials from the Bureau of Immigration and local police.

Meanwhile, coordinated sea and air search operations are continuing in full swing to locate the remaining missing crew members.

MRCC Sri Vijaya Puram is continuously coordinating with all participating assets involved in the ongoing search and rescue operation.