Mock exercise causes alarm and confusion in Pollens

POLLENSA
AN explosion on board a boat moored in the bay of Pollensa at noon yesterday caused considerable alarm, and the Guardia Civil rushed to the scene, only to find that it was a mock exercise programmed by the Air Sea Rescue service (SAR).

Port of Pollensa residents phoned the emergency services, reporting the explosion and Guardia Civil patrols were sent to confirm the reports. Shortly afterwards, the Guardia Civil reported that there was no sign of anybody on board the boat, which by that time was on fire. Eventually it was established that the Air Sea Rescue service had organised an exercise involving two planes and a launch. According to the SAR, it was a routine exercise and is carried out every Tuesday. However, neither the Port Authority nor the emergency services had any record of the notification.

The confusion lasted for about 15 minutes until the Guardia Civil confirmed that it had been a false alarm.