Coastguard and RNLI end search for missing people in water off beach

Members of the coastguard and the RNLI searching for two men off a beach in Devon have been stood down.

The two men, in their 40s and 60s, are believed to be missing in the water in the Budleigh Salterton area. Although a number of people were rescued earlier in the day, the two men were not located and remain missing.

Their families have been informed and the coastguard and RNLI have now concluded their searches at the scene. "Today, emergency services have been responding to a truly tragic incident in Budleigh Salterton," said Detective Superintendent Hayley Costar from Devon and Cornwall Police.

"The local community will have seen a significant amount of emergency services in the area throughout the day as extensive enquiries have been ongoing. "As dark falls, a number of these searches have been stood down, with some police enquiries on land continuing this evening," she said.

"Our thoughts remain firmly with the families and friends of the two men who are currently missing and to all who may have witnessed and be impacted by the incident." Devon and Cornwall Police were called at 10.25am on Christmas Day following concerns for people in the water. Exmouth and Beer Coastguard Rescue Teams, RNLI lifeboats from Exmouth, Teignmouth and Torbay and coastguard search and rescue helicopters all joined the search operation, alongside police and ambulance services.

Swimmers were urgently asked not to take part in Exmouth's Christmas Day swim while the incident was dealt with. Police are now urging everyone to avoid swimming in the sea on Boxing Day too.

"There have been weather warnings in place this week and a number of official and un-official swims have already been cancelled," said DS Costar. "While there are no official warnings in place for tomorrow, we urge anyone with plans to go swimming in the sea on Boxing Day not to." The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a yellow alert for cold for the South West of England lasting until midday on Saturday.

The Met Office issued a warning for strong, gusty winds. Several Christmas and Boxing Day swims in Devon and Cornwall have been cancelled because of a yellow weather warning for wind.

One social media user commented on the Devon and Cornwall Police's post saying: "Our local swim was cancelled and quite right too, the swell is huge and the wind is set to increase." Read more from Sky News:Man reveals what it's like celebrating Christmas in country where it's banned 'Life-threatening' atmospheric river storm causes floods in California The Met Office warned of "strong and gusty east to northeasterly winds" on Christmas Day in parts of the South West of England and Wales. Peak gusts could reach 55-65mph along some exposed coasts and to the west of prominent hills, according to the Met Office.

Disruption could be caused to transport and power supplies, the forecaster said, with large waves creating an additional hazard on some coasts..