Coast Guard today paid homage to three of its officers who lost their lives in a Dornier aircraft crash off Tamil Nadu coast on June 8 while on a routine surveillance mission.
A wreath laying ceremony replete with full service honours was held at the Coast Guard Air Station here to pay homage to the three Deputy Commandants - Subhash Suresh, Vidyasagar and M K Soni.
Tamil Nadu Finance Minister O Pannerselvam paid homage and laid a wreath on behalf of the state government.
The Dornier aircraft CG 791 went missing on June 8 while on a surveillance mission. Following extensive and prolonged search operations by multiple agencies, the plane's wreckage and human remains were recovered from the sea off Chidambaram coast in Cuddalore district last month.
DNA tests confirmed last week that the human remains were that of the crew members following which the ceremony was held.
Coast Guard officials including Inspector General S P Sharma, Commander, Coast Guard Region (East), laid a wreath as a mark of respect. Wreaths were also laid on behalf of the Defence Minister.
Later, the mortal remains of the officers were handed over to the family members after the ceremony.
Offering her condolences, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had yesterday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh to families of each of the three Coast Guard officers.
