Sunday, December 26 2004 15:55 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Five naval warships loaded with relief supplies have left for Sri Lanka as Indian Air Force despatched three AN-32 transport aircrafts carrying relief and medical supplies to earthquake and tidal wave devastated Andaman and Nicobar group of Islands.

Naval Chief Admiral Arun Prakash has directed that five naval warships from Mumbai, Cochin and Vishakhapatnam to set sail for Trinconmalli and Gallie ports in Sri Lanka in response to a SOS received from the Sri Lankan Government.

He said warships are carrying rescue helicopters and boats, naval divers and relief and medical supplies and will be assisting the Sri Lankan Navy in rescue operations.

Three AN-32 IAF transport aircrafts left for Port Blair and Karnic airfields in the Andaman group of Islands carrying relief and medical supplies.

According to Defence Ministry sources, Nicobar Island and the Campbell Bay have suffered infrastructural damages with the water having lodged the landing strip at Nicobar Island.

Campbell Bay and Nicobar Island are the nearest points to Sumatra in Indonesia, which was the epicentre of the earthquake.

The sources said that no death of service personnel has been reported so far and efforts were on to re-establish communication links with Nicobar Island and Campbell Bay.

Naval warships have been sent out all along the Eastern coast to rescue trapped fishermen and civilian passenger liners, Naval spokesman said.

Naval and Coastguard Command all along the Eastern coast were helping in rescue and relief operations in all the major coastal towns and cities.