Two men missing in sea off Devon beach on Christmas Day

A number of people were safely recovered to shore, with two checked by paramedics and one taken to hospital by ambulance as a precaution. Photograph: Sonia Mullineux/SWNS

Two men are missing in the water off a beach in Devon, after a number of people were reported to be in difficulty.

Emergency services were called to Budleigh Salterton at 10.25am on Christmas Day following concerns for people in the water.

A number of people were safely brought to shore, with two checked by paramedics and one taken to hospital by ambulance as a precaution. The missing men are aged in their 40s and 60s.

Det Supt Hayley Costar, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: “As dark falls, a number of these searches have been stood down, with some police enquiries on land continuing this evening.

“There have been weather warnings in place this week and a number of official and unofficial swims have already been cancelled.

“While there are no official warnings in place for tomorrow, we urge anyone with plans to go swimming in the sea on Boxing Day not to.”

In a statement, the Coastguard said its search was stood down at 5pm.

A spokesperson said: “Alerted at around 10am, Exmouth and Beer coastguard rescue teams, RNLI lifeboats from Exmouth, Teignmouth and Torbay, coastguard search and rescue helicopters and fixed wing aircraft were sent to the scene to assist, alongside police and ambulance service.

“Searches have continued throughout the day to find two men believed to still be in the water. After extensive shoreline and offshore searches, the 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.

The Met Office warned of “strong and gusty east to northeasterly winds” from 4am until 11.59pm on Christmas Day in parts of the south-west of England and Wales.

It said peak gusts would reach 45 to 55mph but these could reach 55 to 65mph along some exposed coasts and to the west of prominent hills.

Disruption could be caused to transport and power supplies, the forecaster said.

It added: “Large waves will be an additional hazard on some coasts.”

Anyone with information which may assist in the search for the swimmers should contact Devon and Cornwall police by calling 101 or through the force’s website, quoting log number 191 of 25 December.