The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is coordinating a major search‑and‑rescue operation in the English Channel south of Eddystone Lighthouse after receiving a distress report from a vessel carrying five people. British and European media report that the incident may involve a French fishing vessel that sank, prompting deployment of a coastguard helicopter, fixed‑wing aircraft, RNLI lifeboats from Falmouth and Plymouth, and numerous local and French vessels. The ongoing operation highlights persistent safety risks for small fishing craft operating in one of the world’s busiest and most challenging sea lanes.
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency confirmed that it received a distress report just after 18:00 local time on August 29 from a vessel with five people on board, located southwest of the Eddystone Lighthouse off Plymouth in the English Channel. In response, MCA launched a coordinated search‑and‑rescue effort involving a coastguard helicopter, a fixed‑wing surveillance aircraft, and lifeboats from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) stations at Falmouth and Plymouth. The agency stated that the incident is ongoing and has not yet released details about the type of vessel or the condition of those on board, while local and regional outlets report that a French fishing vessel may have sunk in the area, triggering the emergency call.
Source:
aljazeera.comShare this article
Related news
Rescue officer lost during evacuation from burning containership in South Atlantic
The crew of the Espirito Santo Express was evacuated after a fire, but the chief officer of the rescue vessel Aeolian Arrow died during the operation.
AIDAnova rescues four fishermen from burning trawler in Skagerrak
The cruise ship AIDAnova diverted after receiving a distress alert and rescued four fishermen from a burning Danish fishing vessel. All four survivors were reported safe.
Search continues for 11 people after boat capsizes off Baja California
A boat carrying 27 people overturned about 140 miles west of Ensenada. Sixteen people were rescued, while 11 remained missing; several survivors suffered injuries consistent with shark bites.