Two yachts destroyed and businessman killed after Cyprus storm
The incident took place in the Agioi Anargyroi maritime area near Ayia Napa Two yachts have been destroyed and a third damaged after severe weather struck off Cape Greco, Cyprus, on Saturday (29 August 2026), leaving Limassol businessman and former international rally driver Dimi Mavropoulos dead.
The incident took place in the Agioi Anargyroi maritime area near Ayia Napa, where three boats got into difficulty as thunderstorms and rough seas moved through the area. The Cyprus Meteorological Service had issued an orange weather warning and marine bulletin ahead of the storm, with wave heights east of the island forecast to reach about 2.5 metres. A waterspout was also reported off the coast of Larnaca.
The news comes after at least eight people were killed, with 17 still missing after a ferry carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members capsized and sank amid poor weather off northern Cyprus on Sunday.
Six pulled from water in coordinated rescue effort
The Larnaca Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) launched a search at about 2.30pm after receiving reports of vessels in trouble, according to local news outlets. Police and military helicopters, a police patrol boat, the Famagusta Police Directorate, the Special Disaster Response Unit, the Famagusta Fire Department and ambulances were involved in the response.
Six people were recovered from the water. A Famagusta Police patrol rescued one person, while a helicopter lifted five others from the scene, with two taken to hospital.
Mavropoulos was recovered unconscious by helicopter and taken to the same hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, with local media reports stating he had become trapped in the wreckage of the vessel. His wife and daughter were among those rescued.
Two of the three vessels were driven onto rocks and destroyed. One was the 30.5-metre classic yacht Petsas I, built by Camper & Nicholsons in 1938. The other has not been officially identified but is believed to be a 25-metre Versilcraft.
Petsas I was originally launched as Donna Bella and was designed by naval architect Charles E. Nicholson. During the Second World War, the yacht was used as a spy vessel, carrying cameras and other specialist equipment. It was extensively rebuilt at Piraeus Psaros Shipyard in 1986 before receiving further refurbishment and a refit with new engines from Alpha Marine in 2002.
The third vessel involved was the 24.37-metre Fairline 78 Squadron yacht Phantom, which was damaged but not destroyed. Its guests were among those evacuated by the rescue teams. Local reports indicated that the yacht left the area the following day.
Footage and photographs from the scene showed the two destroyed yachts being repeatedly struck by waves before breaking apart. Authorities have issued a navigation safety warning over debris in the water.
The storm also caused further disruption across Cyprus, with the fire service receiving 357 calls. Most involved flooding, fallen trees and objects, as well as damage caused by strong winds and heavy rain.
Mavropoulos, who was born in Limassol in 1949, was a prominent figure in Cypriot motorsport. He competed in rallying for more than four decades and represented manufacturers including Ford and Mitsubishi. He won the Cyprus Rally Championship in 1986, 1988 and 1990, with his final championship-winning season featuring victories in all seven rounds. He founded the Cyprus Historic & Classic Motor Museum in 2014.
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