Cape Greco tragedy: Rescue teams battled 6 Beaufort seas to save four people, JRCC chief says

Local accidentayia napaTop News Cape Greco tragedy: Rescue teams battled 6 Beaufort seas to save four people, JRCC chief says Your browser does not support the video tag. Relevant News Cape Greco tragedy: Rescue teams battled 6 Beaufort seas to save four people, JRCC chief says 30 August 2026 Kyrenia boat disaster death toll rises to eight, 17 still missing 30 August 2026 Panic and distress captured inside passenger ship before it sank off Kyrenia 30 August 2026 Natasa Christoforou 30 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Shocking footage from yesterday’s Cape Greco tragedy shows both the desperate efforts of the late Dimi Mavropoulos to save his boat and the difficult rescue operation carried out by helicopter crews deployed by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) to save his partner and daughter after they were forced into the sea. The videos highlight the extremely difficult weather conditions in the area where the three boats were located. The scale of the tragedy could have been far greater if the rescue mechanism had not been activated at around 2.30 pm, when the first person in danger was located. Although that person managed to reach the shore, a helicopter that arrived in the area played a crucial role in rescuing the other four people, particularly the two women who were forced to jump into the rough seas to survive. JRCC commander George Economou, who was in the area during the major rescue operation, described to philenews the desperate efforts to save those on board the three boats. “We had a very difficult search and rescue operation, carried out under extremely adverse weather conditions. The three vessels were being hit by heavy waves and the work of the helicopter crews was extremely difficult,” Economou said. He explained that the first report concerned a person in danger on a boat that had run aground in the sea area between Agioi Anargyroi and Konnos Beach at Cape Greco. “The JRCC immediately activated the search and rescue system. Specifically, an Ayia Napa police patrol and a helicopter from the Police Air Operations Unit were mobilised.” The person on board the first boat, which had struck rocks, was very close to the shore and managed to jump off. With the assistance of police officers, he was recovered using a life ring. Rescue of two people from second boat While the helicopter was already in the area, a report was received about two other people in danger on a nearby vessel — a man from Nepal and a Greek Cypriot. They were rescued using the helicopter’s hoisting procedure. The boat belonging to the late Dimi Mavropoulos was the third vessel involved. “The waves threw the boat onto the rocks” Economou said Mavropoulos’ boat attempted to leave the area where it was anchored to avoid the worsening weather conditions. “The vessel was stern-moored onto rocks, as it is called in nautical terminology. The sea conditions were around 6 Beaufort, and the waves were coming from a northerly direction, making the attempt to depart and manoeuvre extremely difficult.” The boat was carrying Mavropoulos, his daughter and his partner. “Unfortunately, the operator of the vessel was unable to free it from the rocks. The heavy waves threw the boat onto the rocks.” Once the vessel struck the rocks, the two women jumped into the water wearing life jackets. “Because the helicopter was already in the area, a rescuer was immediately lowered and they were recovered. It was fortunate that the helicopter was there when the two women entered the sea,” the JRCC commander said. Mavropoulos trapped in wreckage Mavropoulos remained on board the vessel, which was later destroyed, leaving him trapped in the wreckage. “The helicopter continued searching for him. The helicopter of the National Guard’s 460 Search and Rescue Squadron also arrived in the area and located the unfortunate man unconscious in the water.” A hoisting operation was carried out and the unconscious man was transferred to Famagusta General Hospital, where the doctor on duty confirmed his death. The rescue operation also involved personnel from the Special Unit for Disaster Response (EMAK), the Famagusta Fire Station and the Ambulance Service of the State Health Services Organisation (OKYPY). Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Kyrenia boat disaster death toll rises to eight, 17 still missing Panic and distress captured inside passenger ship before it sank off Kyrenia Cyprus offers assistance after deadly ship sinking off Kyrenia 48 third-country nationals arrested in Larnaca over illegal stay 80-year-old man killed in Limassol–Paphos motorway crash near Avdimou Kyrenia boat disaster death toll climbs to seven, as 23 unaccounted for Six dead, dozens unaccounted for after ferry carrying 267 capsizes off Kyrenia Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.