Joint search and rescue operations

Cyprus and Italy conducted a joint search and rescue exercise on Monday, off the south coast of the island.

The scenario involved a maritime accident at open sea requiring an air medical evacuation operation from the Italian frigate Espero.

Cyprus implemented the national search and rescue plan Nearchos deploying helicopters from the police aviation unit with civil defence nurses on board.

According to the defence ministry, the exercise, titled ‘CYPΙΤΑ – 01/18’ was conducted as part of the cooperation to tackle search and rescue incidents or emergency situations that could arise during operations within Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.