An Indian Air Force transport plane with 29 personnel on board has been reported missing over the Bay of Bengal Friday and a search has been launched, says a report.

Air Force spokesman, Anupam Banerjee, a Wing Commander, said that the AN-32 aircraft had taken off the southern city of Chennai in the morning and was heading for Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

“The aircraft with 29 service personnel had taken off around 8:30 am (0300 GMT) and was to have landed by noon.

“It is overdue, and a search has been launched,” he said.

Media reports said four Indian navy ships were to take part in the search. (dpa/NAN)