A huge cyclone causes flooding and destruction in India. Now a barge has sunk. Many people were saved, but some are still missing.
Mumbai (dpa) – About 100 people are still missing after a barge sank in the strong hurricane “Tauktae” off the coast of the Indian metropolis of Mumbai.
The Indian Navy said it was able to save 177 people who were on Tuesday on the ship operated by a state oil company. The rescue work with two ships and helicopters are difficult because the waves are very high and the winds are strong, said a marine spokesman for the German press agency on Tuesday. In addition, the navy had received a call for help from another ship with 137 crew members and help was on the way.
The cyclone formed at the end of last week and caused devastation, wind and rain on the west coast of India. At least 14 people died, according to local civil protection authorities. The cyclone hit the coast of Gujarat state late on Tuesday evening. During the storm “Tauktae” wind speeds of 170 kilometers per hour were measured, as the Indian meteorological service announced. Meanwhile, the storm has weakened somewhat.
Tens of thousands of people had previously been brought to safety in emergency shelters. At the same time, a violent second corona wave is raging in the country, including with the particularly contagious Indian virus variant B.1.617, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified as worrying.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210518-99-641438 / 3
