An extensive search and rescue operation is underway for a 13-year-old boy who went missing while swimming in the North Sea off the coast of East Yorkshire. Humberside Police received reports of concern for the boy's safety around 6 p.m. on Tuesday evening near the South Promenade area of Hornsea.
Officers were immediately deployed alongside other emergency services. Chief Superintendent Phil Booker stated that upon arrival, it was confirmed a 13-year-old boy had reportedly gotten into difficulty while swimming. The police priority is to locate the boy.
Specialist Police Search Advisors (POLSA), the Marine Unit, and drone pilots have been deployed to aid in the search. A coastguard helicopter was also observed over the beach on Tuesday evening, and footage showed a lifeboat in the water.
Police are urging the public to avoid the area to allow emergency services to work efficiently and safely, and to refrain from speculating on the circumstances of the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact officers in Hornsea or call 101, quoting log 415 of August 4.
This incident follows a recent tragedy where a 14-year-old boy drowned in east London on Monday after entering the Millwall Outer Dock. In January, three people, including a mother and her 15-year-old daughter, died after getting into difficulty in the sea at Withernsea, East Yorkshire. Estimates suggest at least 39 deaths have been reported from open-water incidents this summer in the UK.