2 sailors missing after a French trawler sinks near British port

BREST, France — Two French sailors remain missing following the sinking of their fishing trawler near the British port of Plymouth, according to French authorities. The incident occurred on Saturday southwest of Plymouth, where the trawler Maranello contacted the Stradale to report issues with its gear. The Stradale managed to rescue three of the five crew members before the Maranello sank.

Despite a large-scale search and rescue operation, two sailors continue to be unaccounted for. The vessels were situated around 26 nautical miles southwest of Plymouth, an area under British jurisdiction. The Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre assumed control of the rescue efforts, working in tandem with their French counterparts.

A helicopter successfully evacuated one of the injured sailors from the Stradale and transported him to Truro Hospital. The remaining two sailors were brought to Plymouth for medical care. The extensive search, led by the MRCC Falmouth, continues, with the French Navy’s Falcon 50, two British lifeboats, and two British aircraft actively participating in the operation.