Two yachts destroyed and one damaged following severe storm in Cyprus

Two yachts have been destroyed and another damaged following a severe storm in Cyprus on Saturday 29 August.

The yachts, which were anchored off the coast of Agioi Anargyroi in Cape Greco, were run aground on the rocks due to reported heavy rain, strong winds and powerful waves. According to the Department of Meteorology in Cyprus, an orange weather warning was issued as strong thunderstorms moved into the region. A waterspout was also reported off the coast of Larnaca.

The Larnaca Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRC) responded to the incident, alerting a National Search and Rescue Plan "Nearchos" at 2.30pm to rescue the guests who had been on board.

According to the JRC, two helicopters – one from the Police Air Operations Unit and one from the 460th Search and Rescue Squadron of the National Guard – along with the Famagusta Police Directorate (ADE), the Special Disaster Response Unit (EMAK), the Famagusta Fire Department and ambulances attended the scene.

A total of six people were rescued from the water. The first person was rescued by a patrol of the Famagusta Police, while the remaining five were retrieved via the attending helicopters. The JRC announced that three of the rescued guests are in good health, while two remain hospitalised at the Famagusta General Hospital.

Tragically, one person, now known to be 76-year-old Greek-Cypriot businessman Dimis Mavropoulos, was airlifted from the scene unconscious and reported dead upon arrival at the Famagusta General Hospital. He is succeeded by his wife and daughter, who were among those rescued.

One of the destroyed yachts remains unidentified, though is believed to be a 25-metre Versilcraft build. The other is the 30.5-metre classic Camper & Nicholsons yacht Petsas I. Delivered in 1938, the yacht had spent time serving in WWII as a spy ship before undergoing an extensive rebuild in 1986 into a luxury charter yacht.

A third yacht, the sub-24-metre Fairline 78 Squadron yacht Phantom, was also damaged. Her guests were among those airlifted from the scene, though local media reported that the yacht left the area the following day. The degree of the damage is currently unknown.

Images and videos taken by onlookers show the extent of the storm and the damage suffered by the yachts involved - both of which can be seen repeatedly slammed into the rocks by the waves before being broken into pieces. 

Both wrecks remain at the site of the incident. A navigation safety announcement has been shared to inform the public and seafarers of the presence of debris.

BOAT International will update the story as it develops.