Over 60 rescued after research vessel sinks off Gough Island, South Africa

The South African Maritime Safety Administration (SAMSA) has confirmed the sinking of a fisheries research vessel off Gough Island on the afternoon (local time) of Thursday, October 15.

All 62 crewmembers of the Belize-registered Geo Searcher have been safely rescued from the vessel and are now on Gough Island with one individual having sustained slight injuries, the SAMSA said in a press briefing hours after the incident.

The vessel had suffered a hull breach and began taking on water after it reportedly struck some submerged rocks approximately one nautical mile off Gough Island.

The South African research vessel SA Agulhas II has since been despatched to the island with two embarked helicopters to transport the distressed sailors to Pretoria, where they will undergo medical screening.