An emergency operation is currently in progress at a Devon beach due to concerns about individuals in the water, according to police. Two men have now been reported missing.
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that they were alerted to the situation at Budleigh Salterton at 10.25am on Christmas Day.
The force stated that several people had been safely brought back to shore and would receive medical attention from paramedics. A spokesperson further added: “Coastguard and RNLI crews are continuing search efforts in the water. There is a significant amount of emergency service personnel working on this incident and we ask that people do not enter the water along this stretch of coast while this incident is ongoing for public safety reasons.”
(Image: Patricia Malek)
Earlier on Thursday, police advised people to stay out of the water and steer clear of the area.
They urgently requested the public to refrain from participating in the Christmas Day swim at Exmouth while emergency services were handling the incident.
In a statement, the Coastguard confirmed it was notified about the incident around 10am on Thursday.
A spokeswoman said: “HM Coastguard is responding to reports of people in difficulty in the water at Budleigh Salterton today, 25 December.
“Alerted at around 10am, Exmouth and Beer Coastguard Rescue Teams, RNLI lifeboats from Exmouth, Teignmouth and Torbay and coastguard search and rescue helicopters have been sent to the scene to assist, alongside police and ambulance service.”
The RNLI confirmed that rescue boats from Exmouth, Torbay and Teignmouth were deployed to respond to the emergency.
Several Christmas and Boxing Day dips in Devon and Cornwall were called off this year due to a yellow weather warning for wind conditions.
The Met Office issued alerts for “strong and gusty east to northeasterly winds” running from 4am through to 11.59pm on Christmas Day across portions of south west England and Wales.
Forecasters predicted that peak gusts would hit 45-55mph, though these could surge to 55-65mph along certain exposed coastlines and to the west of major hills.
The weather service warned that transport networks and power supplies could face disruption.
It added: “Large waves will be an additional hazard on some coasts.”