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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Search for 'missing' ferry pair | Search for 'missing' ferry pair |
| (30 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 0300 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. |
| The two women 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. | A Dover Coastguard spokesman said the search operation was centred on a 25-mile stretch of the Channel between Dover and Calais. |
| 'Alarm bells' | |
| "It appears as if the ferry left Dover and when it arrived at Calais, the coach driver realised two females were missing and alarm bells started to ring." | "It appears as if the ferry left Dover and when it arrived at Calais, the coach driver realised two females were missing and alarm bells started to ring." |
| He said it was possible the missing passengers could have left the ferry by other means. | 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. | "We are also involving the Belgian coastguard and police, as that is where the coach was bound," he added. |
| Search and rescue units involved in the operation are the coastguard tug Anglian Monarch, spotter plane Echo November, Dover RNLI lifeboat, Calais and Boulogne lifeboats, two French helicopters and a French Navy frigate. | Search and rescue units involved in the operation are the coastguard tug Anglian Monarch, spotter plane Echo November, Dover RNLI lifeboat, Calais and Boulogne lifeboats, two French helicopters and a French Navy frigate. |
| Dover coastguard watch officer, Kaimes Beasely, said: "At this time of year the water temperature is very cold, but we always remain hopeful." |