A British sailor is currently missing after his yacht was discovered severely damaged off the south-western coast of France during stormy conditions, according to maritime authorities.
The 73-year-old activated his emergency beacon on Saturday when he encountered trouble approximately 80km (50 miles) west of Lacanau, reported the Préfecture Maritime de l’Atlantique.
Responding to the distress signal, a French Air Force helicopter located his 12-metre yacht, Tiger PA, in a devastated state in the Bay of Biscay.
Upon closer inspection by two divers, who were lowered to the wreckage, an empty raft was found but the sailor was nowhere to be seen.
Efforts to find the sailor intensified with the assistance of a Portuguese cargo ship and a Spanish hospital vessel, in addition to French naval resources.
Despite extensive search efforts, the operation was suspended in the early hours of Sunday due to insufficient leads.
The Préfecture Maritime de l’Atlantique has issued a reminder of the dangers posed by the stormy conditions in the area.
This incident coincides with Storm Herminia, named by Spain’s weather agency Aemet, which has recently caused significant disruption with heavy rains and winds exceeding 62mph, leading to flooding in northern Spain and western France.
