Medical evacuation of a 67-year-old passenger near Paphos

On June 29, 2026, at 15:20, the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) activated the national search and rescue plan Nearchos. The operation was launched to evacuate a 67-year-old Belgian national from a passenger ship sailing 110 nautical miles northwest of Paphos. A police aviation unit helicopter was mobilized for the mission, carrying a specialized nurse from the State Health Services Organization (OKYPY) ambulance service. The medical evacuation proceeded as planned without incident. The patient was successfully transported to the Nicosia General Hospital. Arrival at the hospital was recorded at 18:50, where the patient was admitted for further medical treatment.