200 people back on land after sailing dinghies rescue

More than 200 people have been returned to shore after 87 sailing dinghies were hit by stormy weather in Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland.

The Bangor and Portaferry Coastguard Rescue Teams, the Portaferry and Newcastle RNLI lifeboats, the Irish Coast Guard helicopter along with the helicopter from RAF Valley were sent to the scene, along with PSNI and ambulance crews.

Some 10 people were injured, with some of them showing signs of hypothermia.

Belfast Coastguard was contacted just before 2pm reporting that some of the boats had capsized, while others were struggling to cope in the strong winds and squally showers.

Newcastle RNLI has confirmed that all sailors caught in a squall in Strangford Lough have now been accounted for.

• Around 80 dingies in the water when the squall hit
• 97 people fell into the water
• 10 people were injured, most showing signs of hypothermia
• 6 people have been transported to hospital

(Source: South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland, Maritime and Coastguard Agency)

UTV report Judith Hill has just tweeted this image of Strangford Lough, adding that several ambulances have just left the scene.

The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland said that casualties were being brought to the Ulster Hospital (Dundonald).

A website tracking the movements of the Coastguard helicopter shows the part of the lough that is being targeted in the search and rescue operation.

An update from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency says that 10 people have been injured, and that most are showing signs of hypothermia.

The statement continued: "It's believed that all those in the water have been accounted for. However rescue units on scene, including the helicopters and lifeboats, are carrying out further searches to make sure."

Strangford Lough is an area affected by powerful tides from the sea. It is a short distance south west of Belfast in Co Down.

It is popular with all sorts of watersports enthusiasts and a dedicated canoe trail has been laid out along its waters.

The ambulance service responding to the incident in Strangford Lough has said that some people are suffering from hypothermia, UTV reporter Aidan Kennedy has tweeted:

UTV Editor Chris Hagan has tweeted that initial reports suggest between 90 and 100 people fell into the water in Strangford Lough, and that the first casualties have arrived on dry land:

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has said it responded to reports that sailors were struggling in the windy conditions, but that it is too early to tell how many people are involved in the incident in Strangford Lough.

A statement on the agency's website said: