Search and rescue operations are ongoing this Tuesday (4/8), as the Hellenic Coast Guard continues its efforts in the waters off Symi, searching for the eighth passenger of a sailboat who remains missing. A Coast Guard vessel is actively participating in the search operation, conducting sweeps across the wider maritime area.
Read also: Symi drama: 7 of 8 missing sailboat passengers found safe — three swam ashore, one still missing
How the seven sailboat passengers were rescued
The incident occurred on the evening of Sunday, August 2nd, when all eight passengers on board — four men and four women — ended up in the sea under circumstances that are still under investigation. According to information available so far, all eight had gone swimming off the boat, after which the sailboat drifted away with the sea currents, leaving the swimmers unable to return to it.
A major search and rescue operation was immediately launched, coordinated by the Hellenic Coast Guard’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre. During the course of the operation, seven of the eight passengers were gradually located and rescued safe and unharmed. Two of them managed to swim to shore on their own, reaching Panormitis Bay.
