A passing storm left a tragic mark on Cyprus, as rescue teams from the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre recovered a dead man on Saturday afternoon (29/8) who had been aboard one of several vessels that sank near Cape Greco. The victim was a 76-year-old man, according to philenews.com. Two women who were on board the same vessel are currently hospitalized.
Read: Cyprus: Roads turned into rivers as storm rages — lightning sparks fire, waterspout spotted (Video)
Cyprus: 76-year-old trapped in the wreckage
In more detail, a major search operation was launched to locate the 76-year-old after five other individuals were rescued from three separate vessels. The unfortunate man was found unconscious by divers and airlifted by helicopter to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. According to philenews.com, the two women managed to jump into the sea before the vessel went down, while the 76-year-old is believed to have become trapped in the wreckage of the boat.
Official statement from the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre
“It is hereby announced that on 29 August 2026 at 14:30, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre activated the National Search and Rescue Plan ‘NEARHOS’ in the maritime area of Agii Anargyroi at Cape Greco, with the aim of rescuing individuals in distress from 3 vessels, 2 of which were completely destroyed after running aground on rocks due to severe sea conditions.
For the execution of the Search and Rescue operation, the following assets were mobilized: a helicopter from the Police Air Operations Unit, a helicopter from the 460 Search and Rescue Squadron of the National Guard, a patrol unit from the Famagusta Police Directorate, personnel from EMAK (Special Disaster Response Unit) and the Famagusta Fire Station, as well as ambulances from the Ambulance Service. A total of 6 individuals were recovered during the operation.
The first individual was rescued by a Famagusta Police Directorate patrol and is in good health. The Search and Rescue helicopters retrieved 5 individuals, two of whom are in good health and were discharged after receiving first aid, while two individuals are receiving treatment at Famagusta General Hospital. One individual, a Greek Cypriot, was recovered unconscious by a Search and Rescue helicopter and transferred to Famagusta General Hospital, where his death was certified.”
