12 saved as fishing boat sinks off north coast of Spain

Twelve fishermen were saved by Spanish Maritime Rescue Services on Friday after their boat went down in high seas due to gale force winds off the north coast of Spain.

Maritime Rescue Services confirmed that the "Gure Uxua" sank 80 km off the coast of Asturias, but that all of the crew was rescued in an operation involving three helicopters and three rescue boats.

Two distress calls were received after which five of the crew members were rescued by the Pesca II helicopter and taken to hospital in the town of Celeiro, while the other seven were flown to hospital in Gijon.

Authorities confirmed that some of those rescued were suffering from "severe hypothermia", but were alive.

This is the most important incident to date that has happened as a result of the storm force winds of up to 130 kilometers per hour which are affecting the northwest and north coast of Spain.

The community of Galicia in the far northwest is currently on red alert as a result of the high winds and expected rainfall, while the rest of the north coast is on orange alert. Endit