Hundreds safe after two major rescue operations at sea

Two major rescue operations were carried out at sea as the coordination centre identified two boats in danger, one carrying about 177 people and the other about 300, the JRCC said on Tuesday.

The first boat, with about 300 people, was identified at 7pm on Monday night 110 nautical miles west of Paphos within the search and rescue responsibility zone of Cyprus.

A national guard helicopter was dispatched to assess the situation and subsequently called in two national guard boats and a police boat to assist.

The 300 people in danger soon after safely boarded the Marshal Islands flagged cargo ship Paolo Topic.

The second group in danger – consisting of 110 men and 67 women and children – was also identified on Monday night, at 10:20pm.

This group was much closer, at 30 nautical miles south of Larnaca port.

One police boat and two national guard boats were dispatched to the location, assisted by Okypy medical workers. The latest update stated that by 12:20 on Tuesday the group were safe and are in good health.