More than 100 people, including many children, have been rescued after a number of small boats capsized in poor weather during a sailing regatta in Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin today.
A major rescue operation got under way after the sailing vessels overturned in a squall during a youth regatta organised by the Royal St George Yacht Club.
Around 200 people, adults and children, were taking part in the event and 90 small boats were on the water. About 12 vessels are understood to have overturned.
A spokesman for the Health Service Executive said 16 patients have been transported to various Dublin hospitals, including St. Vincent's Hospital (10), St. James's Hospital (2), Crumlin Children's Hospital (1) and St Michael's Hospital (3). Another 195 people were assessed at the scene and released.
"No life threatening conditions have been reported. The majority of cases brought to hospital involved possible hypothermia," the spokesman said.
A young boy is treated by paramedics at the scene. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire
"There are 32 ambulances at the scene, including ambulances from the East, the Midlands, the South East and the North East ambulance services."
Emergency services, including the RNLI, Dublin Fire Brigade, the HSE ambulance service, the Irish Coastguard and the Garda all rushed to deal with the incident.
According to the Department of Transport, four local yacht clubs were taking part in the regatta when the weather worsened sharply leading to a number of boats overturning.
The children involved were aged between 10 and 15. All were wearing lifejackets.
Lifeboats from Dun Laoghaire and Howth along with a Dublin-based coastguard helicopter were involved in the rescue off the west pier.
A Dublin Fire Brigade spokesman said a large number of units were sent to the scene, including specialist water rescue units. One source told ireland.comthat the emergency services were officially stood down at approximately 3.30pm after all those in the water had been accounted for.
The source said the RNLI had launched lifeboats at 2pm and a fleet of ambulances had arrived at the scene at 2.45pm. The Harbour Police, fire brigade units and the coastguard helicopter also assisted in the emergency. The helicopter scanned the coastline for anyone remaining in the water before it was stood down at 3.38pm.
A double-decker bus was also being used to ferry casualties to hospital. "There were also offers of assistance from fishing vessels," the source said.
He said the scene in the harbour was chaotic, with emergency vehicles on site and emergency workers handing out blankets to people who had been in the water.
The Garda Traffic Corps was duty to deal with heavy traffic in the port area. Harbour Road in Dun Laoghaire was closed.
The HSE asked that members of the public in Dublin only attend their local emergency department if absolutely necessary due to the fact that they may have to respond to additional demand due this incident.
In a separate incident, the Coast Guard was called to assist safety boats from Greystones Sailing Club on Wednesday in bringing a number of young sailors taking part in a course ashore after they got into difficulties during the adverse weather. There were no injuries reported.
President Mary McAleese said she wished to extend "sincere and well-deserved" compliments to the rescue services and all those involved. "Thankfully a potential major tragedy has been averted," Mrs McAleese said. She also complimented all those participating in the regatta for their "courage and skill in dealing with such a challenging situation".