Five missing as trawler runs aground off Cork coast

Five men are thought to be missing after a fishing trawler sank off the West Cork coast.

The trawler "Tit Bonhomme" sent out a distress signal after it ran aground at the entrance to the harbour at Union Hall at around 6am this morning.

It is thought that the vessel, which operated out of Union Hall, had a crew of six on board.

A major search and rescue operation involving the RNLI lifeboats from Courtmacsherry and Baltimore, two Coastguard helicopters and coastguard units from across West Cork was launched.

So far, only one crewman has been rescued - he is an Egyptian national, who was winched to safety and brought to Cork University Hospital for treatment.

It had been thought that two other crewmen had been located, however coastguard officials now say the other five crew are officially missing.

Heavy seas and strong winds have been hampering the search.

The vessel is now resting in around 10 to 12 metres of water, just at the entrance to Union Hall harbour.