THE coastguard’s search for two swimmers who went missing at sea during their Christmas Day dip has been called off.

Emergency services were called at 10.25am to Budleigh Salterton, Devon following concern for swimmers in the water.

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Cops have urged locals to avoid the beach as swimmers are recovered from the sea
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Coastguard helicopter crews were also at the scene this morning
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RNLI rescue teams could be seen battling huge waves as they scoured the water
It has been reported a group of people got into difficulty in the water due to the bad weather.

Two men, aged in their 40s and 60s, were not located during the search and remain missing at this time. Their families have been informed of the developments.

Extensive area searches have been ongoing throughout the day in efforts to locate them. Coastguard and RNLI have now concluded their searches at the scene.

Hundreds of swimmers had gathered along the Jurassic Coast seafront for the traditional Christmas Day dip.

Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed a “number of people” were safely recovered to shore and checked either by paramedics at the scene or taken to hospital as a precaution.

RNLI rescue teams could be seen battling huge waves as they helped scoured the water after emergency services were called.

According to HM Coastguard: “HM Coastguard responded to reports of people in difficulty in water in the Budleigh Salterton area this morning, 25 December.

“Alerted at around 10am, Exmouth and Beer Coastguard Rescue Teams, RNLI lifeboats from Exmouth, Teignmouth and Torbay and 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.”

Officials warned people not to enter the water today as a yellow weather warning was in place ass winds would become strong and gusty.

The south west region is being battered by 65mph winds, with a cold health alert also in place.

Issuing a yellow warning for wind, between 4am and midnight, the Met Office said gusts would peak at 65mph in some parts of the country.

The forecaster has also warned there could be disruption to transport and power supplies in some areas.

The warning is in place for the western coast of the UK, with the south-west of England and the majority of Wales affected.

It states: “Strong and gusty east to northeasterly winds.”

A number of Christmas and Boxing Day swims in Devon and Cornwall were cancelled due to the weather warning.

While other searches continue locals are increasingly concerned about the pairs safety as it grows dark and temperatures drop even further.

Detective Superintendent Hayley Costar said: “Today, emergency services have been responding to a truly tragic incident in Budleigh Salterton.

“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.

“The local community will have seen a significant amount of emergency services in the area throughout the day as extensive enquiries have been ongoing. 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 un-official 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.”

You can find sea safety messaging from HM Coastguard here – Sea safety | HM Coastguard UK

Anyone with any relevant information which may assist police, who hasn’t already spoken to us, is asked to call 101 or report via our website quoting log 191 of 25/12/25.

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A number of people got into difficulty in the water due to the bad weatherCredit: UKNIP
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Emergency crews were scrambled to the beach at around 10.25amCredit: UKNIP
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Emergency crews have rushed to Budleigh Salterton after an incident in the waterCredit: UKNIP