Displaying items by tag: search and rescue

The search for 19-year-old Jay Slater, missing since 17 June, continues in Tenerife with a multi-agency effort marked by silence from authorities. Despite the intense search in the rugged terrain of the Rural de Teno national park, involving the Civil Guard, specialist sniffer dogs, and drones, agencies have been reluctant to comment, fuelling online conspiracy theories. The operation, initially sprawling, has now focused on a specific ravine with a water source. Officers start their search at 8 am, navigating difficult terrain with special equipment. Weather conditions have varied, complicating the search efforts. As each day ends without answers, the lack of updates adds to the anguish of Jay's loved ones, who continue to wait for news. His family remains hopeful; his mother, Debbie Duncan, is urging the public to pray for her son and expressing faith in the search teams.

Cyclone Yaas has hit the eastern states of Odisha and West Bengal. Nearly two million people were evacuated from West Bengal prior to its arrival. Yaas is the second powerful cyclone to hit India in just over a week, bringing tidal surges with waves higher than rooftops and gusts above 95 mph. Tens of thousands of homes were destroyed, two airports were closed, and train services were cancelled ahead of the storm. West Bengal reported 20,000 mud houses and temporary shelters damaged or destroyed. Last week Cyclone Tauktae resulted in mass evacuations and over 150 deaths. Both Yaas and Tauktae halted Covid prevention efforts, as mass evacuations took precedence. Odisha officials said they had suspended testing, vaccinations, and a door-to-door health survey in three districts. The coastguards have deployed ships and hovercraft along the coast to execute the relief operation.