Indian sailor rescued after becoming injured during round-the-world yacht race

An Indian sailor badly injured in a round-the-world yacht race has been rescued by a French ship after drifting in rough conditions for more than two days.

Abhilash Tomy called for emergency assistance on Saturday after a storm that saw 80 mph winds and 46-foot seas snapped his yacht's mast during the Golden Globe Race, which left him with what he described as a serious back injury.

"Tomy rescued safely," the Indian Navy posted on Twitter on Monday, following a co-ordinated international mission to rescue the sailor.

The 39-year-old is conscious, according to India's defence minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, who wrote that the sailor was "doing okay".

"He has been pulled out on a stretcher by a French fishing vessel. He is conscious and is in safe hands," said Indian navy spokesman Captain D K Sharma.

Australian officials earlier said the French fisheries patrol boat Osiris had crossed the 460 miles to Mr Tomy after his yacht, named Thuriya, was damaged in the storm.

Authorities had worried over the yacht's condition, after the storm left the mast hanging precariously over its body.

"It's going to be a very difficult situation onboard," Australian Maritime Safety Authority search and rescue officer Phil Gaden initially said.

Mr Tomy, an Indian navy commander, will soon be taken by the navy's frigate to Mauritius for medical attention.

Reuters contributed to this report