Nine rescued after fire on yacht

Nine people have been rescued after a yacht caught fire west of mainland Shetland.

The crew were rescued from a life-raft after they abandoned their vessel.

A mayday relay had been broadcast by the coastguard requesting assistance for the vessel at around 9.20am.

A support vessel responded to the broadcast and made its way to the area, sending a recovery craft to the vessel to assess the situation.

The Aith lifeboat was dispatched, along with the Sumburgh-based search and rescue helicopter, which arrived at the scene, north of Foula, at around 10.30am.

In a statement, the MCA said: “All nine persons on board have been safely accounted for after the support vessel picked them up from a life-raft after they abandoned their sailing vessel after it caught fire. The support vessel is currently making its way to Scalloway Harbour.

“The coastguard helicopter has been stood down and has returned to base.”