Two Spanish teenagers rescued after getting trapped in sand and surrounded by rising water at Louth beach

Emergency services launched a rescue operation at Blackrock beach on Wednesday after two Spanish teenagers became trapped in sand and surrounded by rising water.

Following a 999 call by the teenagers, two fire appliances and a specialist rescue tender from Dundalk Fire Station were dispatched at 4:12pm.

Wearing protective clothing and using specialist water rescue equipment, firefighters reached the pair and brought them to a safer location.

From there, they were airlifted by a Coast Guard helicopter and landed safely on Blackrock beach.

The National Ambulance Service provided on-scene care, and support was also provided by a unit from Clogherhead Coast Guard.

The operation concluded with fire units returning to station at 6:42pm.