Washington, May 15 (V7N) – The United States Air Force has rescued 11 passengers alive from the Atlantic Ocean after a private aircraft crashed into the sea near the Bahamas.
The Pentagon on Thursday released video footage of the dramatic rescue operation, showing survivors floating in a life raft in rough waters before being airlifted to safety.
According to authorities, the aircraft carrying passengers from the Bahamas crashed into the ocean about 80 miles off the city of Melbourne on Tuesday. The plane’s emergency beacon was activated immediately after the accident, enabling the US Coast Guard to quickly locate the crash site.
A US Air Force team conducting a training mission in the area responded immediately after receiving the distress alert. Despite adverse weather conditions, members of the Air Force Reserve Team and a helicopter unit from the Rescue Wing joined the operation.
Rescuers successfully pulled all 11 passengers from turbulent sea waters and transported them for necessary medical treatment.
The US Coast Guard said the survivors had been stranded at sea for nearly five hours before the rescue. Officials described the operation as a rapid and coordinated effort that helped prevent major loss of life.
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