A Tanzania-flagged cargo vessel sank off the coast of Paphos on Friday night, with all 10 crew members rescued in an operation coordinated by Cyprus authorities.
According to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Larnaca, it received information at 8:15 p.m. on 30 October 2026 that the cargo ship AS DREAM, carrying 10 crew members, was sinking 90 nautical miles west of Paphos within the search and rescue area of responsibility of the Republic of Cyprus.
The JRCC activated the special national emergency plan "NEARCHOS" and launched a rescue operation involving a helicopter from the National Guard's 460 Search and Rescue Squadron, the patrol vessel Ammochostos of the Naval Command, the police launch Pentadaktylos of the Marine and Port Police, and the passing cargo ship MSC HANNAH III, which was operating in the area.
Under the coordination of the JRCC in Larnaca, all survivors were initially taken safely aboard the cargo vessel MSC HANNAH III and were later transferred to the police launch Pentadaktylos, which transported them to Limassol port.
After ambulance service nurses confirmed that all crew members were in good health, the rescued sailors were handed over to the competent state authorities.
The relevant embassies were also informed through diplomatic channels, via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, regarding the incident and the handling of the rescued crew.
Source: CNA
