A MAJOR search is underway in Spain for a Brit woman who vanished after hiring a boat on the island of Formentera.
The alarm was raised on Wednesday evening when she failed to return a motor boat she hired earlier that day.
SolarpixThe search was expected to continue first thing this morning[/caption]
SolarpixThe missing Brit is reported to have hired a boat[/caption]
Spanish coastguard officers used a search and rescue helicopter in the operation along with two coastguard vessels.
One was mobilised from Ibiza, while the other combed the coastline off Formentera – the smallest of the inhabited Balearic Islands.
Civil Guard officers are also understood to be conducting a land search.
The missing Brit is reported to have hired a boat and left for “a quick boat ride” from Formentera port La Salina.
The rental firm is understood to have taken part in yesterday’s search.
Messages have been sent to other mariners in the area to provide descriptions of the vessel.
It is know clear if the missing Brit lives in Spain or was on holiday in the Balearic Islands.
Local press reports that “all possibilities” are being considered, as her plans when she hired the boat were “a complete unknown”.
A Guardia Civil spokesperson said police divers have been incorporated into the ongoing search.
They said: “The missing woman is a 39-year-old British national who hired the boat in the port of La Salina in Formentera on Tuesday morning.
“She was supposed to return it around 6pm on Wednesday and when she didn’t her friends became worried and raised the alarm.
“From the time she was reported missing on Wednesday evening a search operation was launched which continued throughout the day yesterday.
“She hasn’t been found yet nor has the boat she was on.
“The Civil Guard’s Judicial Police unit has been investigating this woman’s disappearance but two vessels belonging to our Maritime Unit were mobilised yesterday along with one from the specialist sub-aquatic GEAS unit.
“The officers from the Maritime Unit conduct the searches from speedboats and the GEAS are essentially diving specialists.”
It comes after an urgent search was launched for a Brit who went missing on the Costa Blanca.
Cops deployed drones, dogs and helicopters to help with the search.
Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
