A 76-year-old Greek Cypriot businessman died on Saturday, 29 August 2026, off Cape Greco in southeastern Cyprus, following the sinking of three vessels amid a violent thunderstorm and powerful winds. Emergency response teams from Cyprus’s National Coordination Centre for Search and Rescue (NCCSAR) recovered his body from the sea after one of the stricken boats went under near Cape Greco.
Rescue operation amid extreme weather
The man was aboard a leisure vessel with his daughter and partner when the storm struck. While the two women managed to jump into the sea and were rescued by helicopters already on scene — one operated by the Police Aviation Unit and another by the National Guard’s 460th Search and Rescue Squadron — the 76-year-old became trapped in the wreckage. He was later found unconscious by divers and airlifted to a hospital in Cyprus, where doctors pronounced him dead.
According to NCCSAR sources, the incident unfolded in the bay between Konnos and Ayioi Anargyroi, an area known for its rugged coastline and sudden marine hazards. At the time, extreme weather conditions prompted an immediate activation of the national search-and-rescue plan ‘NEARCHOS’ at 2:30 p.m., as three vessels faced imminent sinking.
Three vessels involved; five others rescued
The first vessel to capsize was a registered coastal tourism boat carrying a single person, who jumped onto nearby rocks and was rescued by police officers on site. A second vessel — the one carrying the deceased businessman and his family — sank shortly thereafter. Simultaneously, a third boat also ran into trouble, prompting a coordinated rescue that saved two additional people, both reported to be in stable condition.
In total, five people were rescued before the fatal outcome was confirmed. The NCCSAR deployed patrol boats, coast guard personnel, emergency medical teams (EMAK), fire service units, and two helicopters in what became one of the largest maritime rescue efforts in recent years on the island.
Investigation and environmental concerns
Authorities expect to resume investigations on Sunday, subject to weather conditions, to determine the exact cause of the disaster. At first light, officials from the Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources will inspect the area for signs of oil pollution — a precautionary measure given the nature of the vessels involved.
Cape Greco, a protected natural area and popular tourist destination on Cyprus’s eastern coast, is known for its dramatic cliffs and unpredictable sea conditions — factors that may have contributed to the severity of the incident.