The massive search and rescue operation launched seven days ago to locate the remains of the AN-32 aircraft in the Bay of Bengal continued today amid a set back.

The sate of art ice-class research vessel Sagar Nidhi of the National Institute of Ocean Technology is yet to join the search team.

According to sources, Sagar Nidhi was expected to arrive here from Mauritius Coast immediately after the flight went missing. But bad weather and the rough sea conditions have delayed its arrival. “The vessel is still in Mauritius and is not expected to arrive soon,” sources added.

“The search teams are continuing their efforts and are engaged in the east coast to find clues that would lead to the aircraft. We will not leave any chances,” sources said.

With the services of Sagar Nidhi being ruled out for the time being, the help of INS Nirupak would be sought.

Meanwhile, 10 debris that were found in the same location last evening have not been identified whether it belonged to the aircraft.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had yesterday said that search operations would continue.

The aircraft, with 29 people on board, went off radar on July 22 within minutes of taking off from the Tambaram airbase. It was on its way to Port Blair.

The recorded transcript of the Chennai aircraft traffic radar showed the last picked up of aircraft was 151 nautical miles east of Chennai when it was observed to have taken a left turn with rapid loss of height from 23,000 feet.

Those on board included eight civilians, six crew members and 15 defence personnel.