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Drifting Pakistanis spotted by patrolling N Zealand plane
Wellington, Jan 28: A New Zealand Air force plane helped rescue three Pakistanis who were adrift in a wooden fishing boat for days without food and water in the Gulf of Oman, officials today said.
Wellington, Jan 28: A New Zealand Air force plane helped rescue three Pakistanis who were adrift in a wooden fishing boat for days without food and water in the Gulf of
Oman, officials today said.
The Orion was part of the US-led coalition in the Gulf region and its crew spotted the small vessel's occupants waving in distress during a maritime patrol, the air force
said in a statement.
The air crew helped guide a coalition warship to the vessel.
"The three Pakistani nationals on board had been adrift for five days, and without food and water for two days," it said. New Zealand has sent a frigate and two aircraft, a Hercules and Orion, to the region in support of operation enduring freedom, the US-led global war on terrorism.
The surveillance flights and surface craft patrols are policing gulf waters for terrorists, terrorist supporters and illicit cargo.
"It was just another reminder for all on board that Orion operations in the Middle East are seldom routine, and never predictable" the statement noted. Bureau Report
The air crew helped guide a coalition warship to the vessel.
"The three Pakistani nationals on board had been adrift for five days, and without food and water for two days," it said. New Zealand has sent a frigate and two aircraft, a Hercules and Orion, to the region in support of operation enduring freedom, the US-led global war on terrorism.
The surveillance flights and surface craft patrols are policing gulf waters for terrorists, terrorist supporters and illicit cargo.
"It was just another reminder for all on board that Orion operations in the Middle East are seldom routine, and never predictable" the statement noted. Bureau Report