The search for a missing tourist off the Greek island of Symi remains underway after authorities clarified that one of the eight foreign nationals aboard a disabled sailboat has not yet been found.
Earlier reports by Greek public broadcaster ERT indicated that all eight tourists had been rescued. However, Greece’s Coast Guard later announced that a large-scale search-and-rescue operation remains in full progress to locate one missing foreign national who had been aboard the vessel, which was found adrift in the sea between Symi and the islet of Seskli.
The rescue operation began after the sailboat was discovered unmanned and drifting. The first two survivors, a man and a woman, managed to reach the shore at Panormitis on their own and alerted authorities, triggering an extensive search involving Coast Guard vessels and a Hellenic Air Force helicopter.
Shortly before midnight, another woman reached the shore by swimming and was found by a fishing boat.
Later, shortly after 1:20 a.m., a Coast Guard patrol vessel located four additional survivors, bringing the total number of rescued passengers to seven.
According to the Coast Guard, five of those rescued—the woman found by the fishing vessel and the four people located by the patrol boat—were transported safely to the port of Symi aboard a Coast Guard vessel.
The search is now focused on locating the remaining missing man. Since the morning, rescue efforts have continued across both the surrounding sea and nearby land areas under the coordination of Greece’s Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC).
In an official statement, the Coast Guard said the emergency response was launched immediately after the disabled sailboat was found drifting between Symi and Seskli. The operation initially involved Coast Guard patrol boats, an offshore patrol vessel, and a Super Puma rescue helicopter.
Authorities said search operations remain ongoing with the participation of an offshore patrol vessel, a Coast Guard patrol vessel, and a Coast Guard aircraft, adding that further updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
