Cargo launch rescued near Astola Island

Cargo launch rescued near Astola Island

A cargo launch traveling from Karachi to the Iranian port city of Chabahar was safely rescued after water began entering the vessel near Astola Island off the coast of Balochistan.

According to Coast Guards sources in Gwadar, the incident took place when the launch was approximately 1.5 nautical miles from Astola Island. The island is located around 39 kilometres southeast of Pasni and is a well-known landmark along Balochistan’s coastline.

The vessel was carrying cargo from Karachi to Chabahar when crew members noticed that water had started entering the launch. The crew immediately alerted the relevant authorities and took steps to prevent the situation from becoming more serious.

After receiving the information, Coast Guards personnel responded to the incident and helped move the launch toward shallower waters near the island. The move reduced the risk of the vessel sinking in deeper waters and provided a safer environment for the crew to assess the damage.

Coast Guards sources said the crew and rescuers inspected the launch and carried out repair work to address the problem that had allowed water to enter the vessel. The repairs restored the launch to a safe operating condition.

Following the completion of the repair work, the launch resumed its journey toward Chabahar. Coast Guards sources confirmed that it left the area safely and continued its voyage to the Iranian port.

The incident did not result in any reported loss of life or major injuries. The timely response and relocation of the launch to shallow waters helped prevent the situation from developing into a more serious maritime emergency.

Authorities routinely monitor shipping activity along Balochistan’s coastline, particularly in areas where vessels travel through open waters and can face mechanical problems or difficult sea conditions.