Detectives from Devon and Cornwall Police have issued an update over two missing swimmers off the coastline.
Emergency services were called to Budleigh Salterton at 10.25am on Christmas Day after concerns for people in the water.
A number of people were safely recovered to shore and checked by paramedics or taken to hospital as a precaution but two men, aged in their 40s and 60s, were not located.
Now, officers have issued an update at 1pm today, Boxing Day, after the Coastguard called off its search yesterday.
A spokesman from Devon and Cornwall Police told GB News: “Both men remain missing following this incident off Budleigh Salterton beach on Christmas Day.
“Police enquiries are ongoing. A police presence remains at the scene.
“Following extensive shoreline and offshore searches, HM Coastguard stood down its response at 5pm on Christmas Day.
“Anyone with any relevant information which may assist police, who has not already spoken to us, is asked to call 101 or report via our website quoting log 191 of 25/12/25.”
Officers were called to Budleigh Salterton in Devon
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A spokesman for the coastguard said last night: “After extensive shoreline and offshore searches, the HM Coastguard part of the search was stood down at 5pm.”
A number of Christmas and Boxing Day swims in Devon and Cornwall were cancelled this year because of a yellow weather warning for wind which covered parts of the South West and Wales.
No warnings were issued for Boxing Day but Detective Superintendent Hayley Costar said: “We urge anyone with plans to go swimming in the sea on Boxing Day not to.”
Describing the events in Budleigh Salterton as “a truly tragic incident”, she had 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.”
RNLI lifeboats were deployed to the scene (file pic)
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