Irish rescue crews save over 100 children from sea

DUBLIN, July 5 (Reuters) Irish coast guards and the navy rescued over 100 children today after a sudden squall swept them out to sea during a regatta close to Dublin.

''Suddenly the wind blew up and visibility dropped and we had to get the kids out,'' said Paula O'Connor, an administrator with the Royal St George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire which had been hosting the regatta involving up to 180 children.

''Everybody is safe and well and off the water,'' she told Reuters, adding that ambulance and fire services had also been amongst those called in.

Navy spokesman Lieutenant Commander Terry Ward confirmed all children were ''accounted for'' after being picked up by naval and coast guard vessels.

Reuters SY DB2129