A motor-yacht, some 20 metres in length, ran aground on Playa de Carchuna early yesterday afternoon.

The Guardia Civil received an alert around 13.30h, together with the Policía Nacional and the maritime branch of the Guardia Civil.

Also alerted were the Salvamento Marítimo (Sea Rescue) Motril fire service and even the Spanish Red Cross, which provides first-aid assistance.

The yacht, sailing under a British Flag, suffered a mechanical failure causing it to drift and run aground owing to the rough sea state.

At first rescue services had to wait because of the strong surf but finally they were able to rescue the three people on board; a French couple and a ukranian sailor. There were two dogs that had to be safely brought ashore, as well.

In the meantime, the Guardia Civil are keeping an eye on the yacht until Salvamento Marítimo decides whether it can be towed off the beach and salvaged or whether it will have to be removed by scrapping it.

There was a similar incident in La Herradura in July last year, but in that case the yacht was completely destroyed by wave action during the night.

(News: Carchuna, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)