One person died and two others were rescued after a storm and rough seas caused two boats to run aground and sink off Cape Greko on Saturday.

According to the Joint Rescue and Coordination Centre (JRCC), the national search and rescue plan “Nearchos” was activated at around 2.30pm in the sea area off Cape Greko, aimed at rescuing people in danger on three boats.

The JRCC said that two of the three boats were completely destroyed after running aground on rocks amid sea turbulence caused by the ongoing storm, with a total of six people rescued during the operation.

The first person was rescued by a patrol of the Famagusta police department and is reported to be in good health.

JRCC helicopters rescued five more people. Two of them are in good health and were released from hospital after receiving first aid, while two others remain under treatment at Famagusta general hospital.

Meanwhile, a sixth person was airliffted unconscious by a JRCC helicopter and pronounced dead at the hospital.