2 rescued after fishing boat capsized in Raahe

Two men were rescued in critical condition after a fishing boat was capsized in water in Raahe on Sunday , reported a Finnish language local newspaper Savon Sanomat quoting the Coast Guard.

The two men who were aboard the fishing vessel were hit by ice drifts in shallow waters in the area.

The emergency response centre in Oulu was contacted at 11:00 am. Due to the challenging circumstances a number of rescue and first aid units were called to join the rescue operation.

A rescue helicopter from Rovaniemi, a medical helicopter from Oulu, a Finnpilot pilot boat and a local diving association boat were all involved in the rescue operation.

In addition a hovercraft from the Virpiniemi Coast Guard station joined the operation.

The men's boat capsized before the arrival of help. Miraculously, the men survived by walking and swimming for about 300 metres in ice and slush to a nearby island.

The men were finally rescued after a second rescue boat lifted the men off the island.