Four fishermen rescued after fishing boat sinks off West Donegal

Stephen Maguire

Four people have been rescued after a fishing boat sank off the coast of West Donegal

The incident happened in the early hours of Thursday morning off Bloody Foreland near Magheraroarty.

A distress call was sent out from a fishing vessel in distress and was picked up by the Maritime Rescue Sub Centre in Malin.

A number of emergency service units responded and rushed to the location.

They included the Rescue 118 helicopter, Bunbeg Coast Guard Unit and the Arranmore lifeboat.

However, all four fishermen on board the vessel were plucked to safety by a passing vessel.

All four were then returned to Magheraroarty Pier.

A spokesperson for the Irish Coastguard said "Just after midnight on Thursday 25th September the Maritime Rescue Sub Centre Malin was alerted to a fishing vessel sinking to the east of Bloody Foreland.

"The Sligo based Coast Guard helicopter R118, Bunbeg Coast Guard Unit, Arranmore lifeboat and vessels in the vicinity responded.

"All four persons on board were rescued by a passing vessel and landed at Magheraroarty pier."

It comes as the emergency services continue to search for a missing fisherman in Donegal Bay.

It followed an incident during which a small fishing vessel ran aground with nobody on board close to Mullaghmore Head in Co Sligo on Thursday evening.