This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/kent/6142526.stm

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Search for 'missing' ferry pair Search for 'missing' ferry pair
(10 minutes later)
A major air and sea search is under way for two female passengers reported missing on a P&O ferry from Dover as it docked at Calais in the early hours.A major air and sea search is under way for two female passengers reported missing on a P&O ferry from Dover as it docked at Calais in the early hours.
Kent coastguards have been working closely with their French counterparts since just before 0330 GMT. Kent coastguards have been working closely with their French counterparts since just before 0300 GMT.
The Dover lifeboat, a coastguard tug, two helicopters and a French naval vessel are involved in the operation.The Dover lifeboat, a coastguard tug, two helicopters and a French naval vessel are involved in the operation.
Dover coastguard watch manager Gary Brown said the two people had earlier been seen on board the ferry. The two passengers were part of a coach party on the Pride of Kent ferry who failed to report to disembark.
A Dover Coastguard spokesman said the search operation was centred on a 25-mile stretch of the Channel between Dover and Calais.
He said it was possible the missing passengers could have left the ferry by other means.
"We are also involving the Belgian coastguard and police, as that is where the coach was bound," he added.