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- The incident occurred on 30 October 2026 at about 8:15 p.m., the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre said.
- The vessel was sinking about 90 nautical miles west of Paphos, within Cyprus' Search and Rescue Region.
- Authorities activated the Special National Plan NEARCHOS and deployed a helicopter, two patrol vessels, and a nearby merchant ship.
- All ten crew members were brought to Limassol Port, medically examined, and confirmed to be in good health.
Cypriot authorities carried out a rescue operation involving ten crew members aboard a sinking merchant vessel approximately 90 nautical miles west of Paphos. All ten were safely rescued and confirmed to be in good health.
According to a statement issued by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC), the incident occurred on 30 October 2026, at approximately 8:15 p.m., when authorities received information that the Tanzanian-flagged merchant vessel AS DREAM, carrying a crew of ten, was sinking.
The vessel was located approximately 90 nautical miles west of Paphos, within the Republic of Cyprus’ Search and Rescue Region.
Emergency rescue operation launched
The JRCC immediately activated the Special National Plan NEARCHOS and coordinated a rescue operation involving several vessels and an aircraft.
The operation mobilised a helicopter from the National Guard’s 460 Search and Rescue Squadron, the National Guard Naval Command’s patrol vessel AMMOCHOSTOS, the Cyprus Port and Marine Police patrol boat PENTADAKTYLOS, and the nearby merchant vessel MSC HANNAH III.
Under the coordination of the Larnaca JRCC, all ten crew members were successfully rescued and initially brought safely aboard the MSC HANNAH III.
They were subsequently transferred to the patrol boat PENTADAKTYLOS, which transported them to Limassol Port.
All ten crew members confirmed safe
Upon their arrival at Limassol Port, ambulance service personnel conducted medical examinations to assess the crew members’ condition.
Medical staff confirmed that all ten individuals were in good health.
The rescued crew members were then handed over to the relevant state authorities for further assistance and processing.
Embassies informed through diplomatic channels
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs notified the relevant embassies through diplomatic channels about the incident and the arrangements made for the rescued crew members.
The operation concluded with all ten individuals safely brought ashore.
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