NICOSIA, Cyprus, March 17 (UPI) -- A Greek Cypriot marine police officer drowned while trying to rescue a Russian family of four from a capsized yacht, officials said.
The sailboat was attempting to enter the harbor off Paphos on the southwestern shore of the island early Tuesday when a large wave capsized it, the Cyprus Times reported Wednesday.
The husband and wife were thrown into the sea and the man swam to shore for help. Two marine officers set out in an inflatable boat, which also was overturned by a large wave, police said.
A helicopter rescued one officer, but 29-year-old Andreas Georgiou was pronounced dead after his body was recovered.
Searchers were unable to find the body of the woman thrown from the yacht and the search continued Wednesday, the newspaper said.
The couple's two children, a 10-month-old girl and 3-year-old boy were found mostly unscathed in the boat after it washed ashore, police said.
