Australian, French ships close to Tomy's location: Official

Navy Commander Abhilash Tomy, who currently lies injured in his sailing vessel in the south of Indian Ocean, will soon be rescued by Australian and French ships which are now close to his location, a top Navy official said Monday.

"An Australian naval ship and a French fishing ship are closest to Tomy's location. Some civilian and naval aircraft have also been mobilised. He is expected to be rescued soon," Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Western Naval Command Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, told reporters here.

Australian fisheries vessel Osiris is also heading towards the location for his rescue, Vice Adm Luthra said, at an event held at the Western Naval Command.

The 39-year-old Kirti Chakra awardee's vessel was "rolling excessively" in the South Indian Ocean, a Defence spokesman had said Sunday.

Cdr Tomy, who was participating in the Golden Globe sailing competition, suffered a back injury last Friday after his yacht was hit by a vicious storm with 14-metre-high waves .