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Two rescued from boat fire off Ventnor, Isle of Wight

A video filmed by a Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat crew shows the motor boat on fire off the Isle of Wight

Two people have been rescued after their boat caught fire at sea.

Lifeboats and a coastguard rescue helicopter responded to a mayday call received from the boat off Ventnor, Isle of Wight, at about 10:20 GMT.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said: "Those on board the vessel were all accounted for and safe."

The boat drifted for several miles, with a plume of smoke visible from southeast coast of the island, before eventually sinking.

David Sztypuljak Boat fireDavid Sztypuljak
Lifeboats and coastguard teams were sent after receiving a mayday call from the craft off Ventnor

Bembridge RNLI picked up the two people on board the motor vessel, named Peroni, and took them back to shore.

Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat said its crew stayed with the craft as it drifted to monitor the fire and debris.

AFP Boat fire seen from the Isle of WightAFP
The coastguard said it had received multiple calls about the burning boat shortly after 10:20 GMT
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