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Major sea rescue launched for three climbers on Welsh coast

Gavin ThomasBBC Wales
News imageDennis Reeves Two helicopters around a coastlineDennis Reeves
The incident was first reported at 16:00 BST on Thursday

A major rescue operation has been launched off the Pembrokeshire coast after an incident involving three rock climbers.

HM Coastgoard said it was called to the incident at about 16:00 GMT at St Govan's Head in Pembrokeshire.

Rescue teams from Fishguard, St Govans and Tenby were sent, as well as an HM Coastguard helicopter, an Irish Coastguard helicopter and two Wales Air Ambulances. An RNLI lifeboat from Angle was also sent to the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police were also in attendance.

News imageGetty Images Cliffs at St Govans Head. The sky is blue and cloudy. The waves crash into the cliff face.Getty Images
HM Coastguard said it was responding to an incident involving three fallen climbers at St Govans Head

St Govan's Head is located within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, with the limestone cliffs towering up to 40m (131 ft) above the sea.

There are as many as 300 recognised climbing routes, with some graded beyond Hard Very Severe up to Extreme 8.

Some of the climbs, such as "Army Dreamers", "Tactician" and "The Butcher" are described as "classics" by UK Climbing.

In some areas there are unstable rocks and the cliffs are closed to climbing in spring and summer months due to nesting sea birds.