Two vessels sink off Cape Greco in storm, people airlifted by helicopter

Two vessels sank off Cape Greco in the Ayia Napa area due to rough seas, while another was put at risk. A rescue operation was launched in the afternoon on Saturday, 29 August.

According to police, a report of a possible vessel sinking was received shortly after 16:00. The vessel was moored in the bay between Agioi Anargyroi and Konnos. The rough seas drove it onto the rocks, where it sank and was completely destroyed. Police officers who arrived at the scene helped the skipper reach the shore safely.

At first, the report concerned one vessel, but it later emerged that a second had also been destroyed, while a third was in danger. Two more boats were anchored in the same area, and people on board were airlifted by a helicopter operated by the Police Air Operations Department.

The Joint Rescue Coordination Center (ΚΣΕΔ) joined the operation. Three people were rescued: one had been on the sunken vessel, and two others were on another vessel affected by the bad weather. The rescued people are in good condition, and there is no cause for concern.

The bad weather affected the entire island that day: the Cyprus Meteorological Service maintained an orange thunderstorm warning, 11 flights were diverted to alternative airports, and dozens of areas were left without electricity.