Police and emergency services were called to a popular swimming spot in northern Tasmania after a woman in her 20s became separated from her swimming companions.
In a statement earlier on Tuesday, police said crews were at Cataract Gorge Reserve in West Launceston searching for a female swimmer, aged in her 20s, who they said "may be in distress".
Police said the unidentified swimmer "reportedly became separated from her swimming companions and she has not been seen since".
The woman was last seen swimming in the First Basin, the large body of water into which the South Esk River passes through.
Tasmanian Police Acting Inspector Aleena Crack said drones and kayaking volunteers were also used in the search.
"We have the SES and members of the public assisting, along with drones and uniformed officers."
Inspector Crack said the swimmer was with "friends and family and they've just lost sight of her".
Inspector Crack would not speculate on whether a planned release of water into the Gorge by Hydro Tasmania for "paddling" activities had contributed to the incident.
She said the search would continue "until we get a result".
As of 9:55pm on Tuesday, there had been no official word from authorities on the fate of the missing swimmer.
