World · South & Central Asia · 9 hrs ago
Madras High Court asks why helicopters are not used in sea rescues
The Madras High Court asked whether helicopters could be used for sea rescues at beaches in Chennai and elsewhere along the coast.
The question came during a case filed by K. Gopal, whose 17-year-old son went swimming at Marina Beach on July 5 and remains missing.
Two of the boy’s friends, who went swimming with him, were rescued.
Police deploy 50 personnel at Marina each day, while Chennai’s beach safety resources include jet skis, vehicles and boats that patrol part of the coast.
The court also learned that 73 of Chennai’s 468 public surveillance cameras were not working and said the corporation must answer for their failure.
The judges called for central and state agencies to coordinate quickly to rescue people caught in high tides.
The court will hear from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre on November 20 before deciding what further orders to make.
The Madras High Court asked why helicopters are not used to rescue people swept away at sea.
The question arose during a hearing on a petition concerning a 17-year-old who went missing after swimming at Marina Beach.
The court called for central and State agencies to coordinate on sea rescues.
It asked for information from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre by November 20.
The court was also told that 73 of the 468 surveillance cameras installed by the Greater Chennai Corporation were not working.
- Who
- The Madras High Court, hearing a petition filed by K. Gopal.
- What
- The court questioned why helicopters are not used in sea rescue operations and called for central and State agencies to coordinate.
- When
- During a hearing; the date is not stated. Gopal’s son went swimming on July 5, 2026.
- Where
- Marina Beach and other beaches along the East Coast, including in Chennai and Chengalpattu districts.
- Why
- Gopal’s 17-year-old son remains missing after going swimming at Marina Beach, while two friends who were with him were rescued.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
G. Santhosh went swimming at Marina Beach and did not return; two friends who were with him were rescued.
The High Court questioned why helicopters could not be used for sea rescues and called for central and State agencies to coordinate.
The court asked for information from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre and scheduled a hearing on its functioning.
- Missing swimmer
- G. Santhosh, 17
- Last seen
- Marina Beach, July 5, 2026
- Daily beach deployment
- 50 Tamil Nadu Special Police personnel at Marina Beach
- Beach safety vehicles
- Seven jet skis, one all-terrain motor vehicle and two mini tractors in Chennai Division
- Surveillance cameras
- 468 installed by the Greater Chennai Corporation; 73 were dysfunctional
- Next hearing
- November 20
What people are saying
Cameras not being in a functional state, whatever be the reason, cannot be countenanced.