Oceanographic research vessel, RV Samudra Ratnakar, deployed for locating the missing IAF aircraft, AN-32, has found linear pieces over a 4,500-sq.km area underwater in the search region, but there is no clarity if these pieces belong to the aircraft.
The ship, belonging to the Geological Survey of India, has found linear pieces at 14 places in the search region. The ship has so far searched 4,500 sq.km out of a total 14,5000 sq.km region earmarked for the search. The parts have not been hauled on to the search vessels.
“We got a report that at 14 places, linear pieces were found. We are not sure if the parts are from the aircraft. These could be rocks, plate movement, or volcanic activity, as these are at a depth of over 3,000 metres,” S. Raju, Deputy Director General, Geological Survey of India, told The Hindu . Scientists on board Samudra Ratnakar have sought a re-survey of the region to ascertain confirm if the objects are from the aircraft.
Reflections of objects or anything underwater will be seen on screens on board the research vessel, but at depths of over three km it makes the task of identifying the objects difficult. Wind speeds of 20-25 nautical miles make the task more difficult, Dr. Raju said.
Officials of Coast Guard and the Indian Air Force said the reports could not be confirmed.
