100 kids rescued in Irish regatta

More than 100 children were rescued from the Irish Sea after being swept into the water during a junior regatta, the Irish Coast Guard has confirmed.

A major rescue operation swung into operation after a sudden squall capsized 91 yachts taking part in the event off the coast of Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin. A Coast Guard spokesman said 110 children were plucked from the water less than a mile from shore during the regatta run by the Royal St George Yacht Club.

"They are all accounted for," a Coast Guard officer said. "Emergency services are on the scene and were treating the children who were taken from the water and were extremely cold."

Dun Laoghaire and Howth lifeboats, Naval ship LE Aoife and local boats were all involved in the rescue operation.

Ambulance crews were on the scene while hospitals across south Dublin were put on standby, according to the Health Service Executive.

The children - all under the age of 16 and members of four yachting clubs based in Dublin - were wearing life jackets when they were thrown into the water around 2pm.