Decision to call off search operation after getting in inputs: Navy Chief Admiral R K Dhowan

NEW DELHI: With search operation for four missing personnel entering its 7th day today after a torpedo recovery vessel sank, Navy Chief Admiral R K Dhowan said a decision to call it off will be taken after getting inputs from the Eastern Naval Command.

"We will take stock of the situation and after getting the inputs from the Eastern Naval Command, where the Commander-in-Chief is responsible for the search operation, we will take a decision to call off the search," he told reporters here.

The Navy Chief had earlier voiced "grave concern" over the incident that took place off Visakhapatnam coast.

He had also said that the chances of recovering the four Navy personnel, missing after the November 6 accident, appears a "little grim".

As per the the standard operating procedure, the search should go on for at least seven days.

Dhowan had termed the vessel's sinking as "an unfortunate incident" which is being taken with "grave seriousness" and with "due grave concern".