A French woman taking part in the AEGEAN600 sailing regatta lost her life Monday night during a course event near the rock islet of Astakida, in the southeast Aegean’s Carpathian Sea, northwest of the Dodecanese island of Karpathos.
According to local media reports, a distress call was issued on Monday evening by a competing Spanish yacht due to rough seas.
The vessel reportedly suffered a broken mast and two crew members fell overboard during the mishap. The two were subsequently pulled onboard from very choppy waters, but the 40-year-old woman was recovered unconscious.
Subsequently, a Hellenic Navy helicopter summoned to transport the French woman was unable to assist due to strong winds. A coast guard patrol boat from nearby Karpathos eventually transported the injured woman to land, where she was taken to a local hospital on nearby Kasos.
The AEGEAN600 is one of the most popular races in terms of participation by foreign-flagged yachts among similar competitions. The race begins at the Temple of Poseidon in extreme southeast Attica prefecture, and after covering a 600-nautical-mile route, it finishes at the same location.
A string of fatal accidents have been reported over the current summer holiday season involving foreign visitors, mostly tourists getting lost on paths and trails in the day-time heat.
