A major rescue operation was launched on Tuesday afternoon (July 14) after an 8-year-old child wearing a lifebuoy was swept out to sea from Ligres Beach, in the Municipality of Agios Vasilios, Crete.

The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre alerted the port authorities of Sfakia, Agia Galini and Kokkino Pyrgos after receiving information that the child was drifting offshore with the lifebuoy.

A local emergency response plan was immediately activated, and a Coast Guard rescue vessel, a Frontex vessel, the passenger-tourist boat “FOINIKAS” (N.H. 642), as well as a Coast Guard patrol vehicle on land, were dispatched to the area.

The 8-year-old child, who is from Germany, was located and rescued by the tourist boat. The child was then safely brought back to Ligres Beach.

The child’s parents stated that the 8-year-old was in good health and did not require medical attention.