Indian Navy Rescues Critically Ill Japanese Sailor Off Vizag

In a swift and precisely coordinated operation, the Indian Navy on Saturday carried out a high-risk medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), rescuing a critically ill Japanese sailor from a Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) vessel positioned nearly 200 km off the Visakhapatnam coast.

In response to an urgent request for assistance, the Eastern Naval Command immediately mobilized its resources. A naval helicopter was launched from INS Dega and navigated challenging offshore conditions to reach the vessel. The sailor, whose condition was described as life-threatening, was stabilized onboard before being carefully winched up and airlifted to Visakhapatnam.

On arrival at INS Dega, a standby medical team provided immediate attention. The sailor was subsequently shifted to INS Kalyani (Naval Hospital) for specialised treatment. Officials said the patient remains under close medical supervision.

An Eastern Naval Command spokesperson said the Navy responded promptly in its role as a first responder. “The MEDEVAC operation reflects the Indian Navy’s operational readiness and underscores the strong maritime cooperation between India and Japan. This was a real-time emergency evacuation at sea and not a mock drill,” the spokesperson stated.

Defence sources explained that long-distance evacuations of this nature require meticulous planning, including continuous communication with the distressed vessel, assessment of weather and sea conditions, and seamless coordination between the aircrew and medical teams. The successful rescue once again highlights the Navy’s capability to conduct complex humanitarian and life-saving missions far from the coastline.

The operation also reinforces the growing defence and security partnership between India and Japan, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, where both countries continue to expand cooperation in maritime safety, joint exercises, and emergency response.