British diver missing off Costa Blanca coast as huge search operation launched

A BRITISH man, aged 70, has disappeared off the coast of Cabo de Palos, La Manga.

Two coastguard helicopters, a Red Cross boat and two other rescue vessels were scrambled to find the man who went missing during a diving trip along the country’s southern coast.
A remote unmanned vessel has also been deployed to aid the search at around forty metres under the surface.

The dive school he was with said the pensioner was last seen near a marine reserve called Islas Hormigas which is very popular due to its varied sea life and unique species.
The identity of the man has not been released yet but it is reported that he is ex-armed forces but it is not clear whether he is an expatriate or on vacation.

“We were alerted at eight minutes past midday today”
“The missing man is a British ex-member of the Armed Forces aged 70. A Civil Guard and Coastguard helicopter are taking turns to search for him”, a Spanish Coastguard spokesman said.