Search underway off Donegal coast after person reported missing from UK Naval vessel

Stephen Maguire

A multi-agency search has been launched off the coast of Co Donegal after a crew member was reported missing from a UK Naval support vessel early on Saturday morning.

The search commenced just before 9am and is being coordinated by the Malin Head Coast Guard Station.

The crew member was last seen at around 10.30pm, and the vessel was located north of Tory Island off the Donegal coast when the alert was raised.

The search is being conducted in the sea off the northwest coast between Tory Island and Eagle Island in Co Mayo.

The search from the air is being conducted by the Irish Coast Guard's fixed-wing plane, Rescue 120F based in Shannon Airport, Coast Guard Rescue 118 helicopter based in Sligo, and the Irish Air Corps plane, CASA 284.

Among the vessels involved in the search at sea are the UK Naval support vessel and the RNLI Ballyglass lifeboat, Lough Swilly lifeboat, and Arranmore lifeboat.

Other vessels of opportunity are also involved in the search, a Coast Guard statement said.

It is understood that the missing person fell overboard from a vessel earlier today.

Details on the identity of the missing person have not yet been confirmed.

Additional reporting: Ellen O'Donoghue