RAF helicopters scramble to aid of capsized ship
84 Squadron based at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, were called out to search for survivors from a Panamanian registered ship, the Danny F2 carrying livestock from Uruguay to Syria, which overturned and sank in rough seas 120nm east of RAF Akrotiri.
Although not equipped to winch at night, Rescue 50 attended the scene using its night vision camera and searchlight to identify survivors in the water where assets from German and Italian Navy vessels along with Lebanese Army rescue boats, picked up survivors.
Stuart Bardsley, a spokesman for British Forces in Cyprus said: “We were asked by the Larnaca Rescue Co-ordination Centre to assist in a rescue effort in the region. We have scrambled one of our air assets to the area.”
Operating out of Larnaca, a replacement crew arrived on scene at first light to join a German Navy and Cypriot Police helicopter in the search. 45 casualties have been recovered so far with over 30 still missing. 84 Squadron Griffin helicopters will continue to search the area for survivors.
Rescue efforts are being hampered by 3m waves and dead animals in the water.
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