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Search for teenager last seen in sea off Whitmore Bay, Barry Island Search for teenager last seen in sea off Whitmore Bay, Barry Island
(35 minutes later)
A search is continuing for a missing 14-year-old girl, last seen in difficulty in the sea off Barry Island, Vale of Glamorgan. A major air and sea search is continuing for a missing 14-year-old girl, last seen in difficulty in the sea off Barry Island, Vale of Glamorgan.
Coastguards say there has been an "extensive search" around Whitmore Bay after her disappearance was reported just after 15:45 BST on Sunday. Coastguards say there has been an "extensive search" off Whitmore Bay.
The girl, who is with her family on holiday, was last seen wearing a multi-coloured dress. The girl, who is with her family on holiday, was reported missing just after 15:45 BST on Sunday.
Three lifeboats and a helicopter have been involved. Three lifeboats and a helicopter have joined lifeguards and police at the resort.
She is 5ft 7ins (1.7m) tall, average build with long black hair.
Inspector Bob Nicholls of South Wales Police said the teenager was in the water with friends when she got into difficulty.Inspector Bob Nicholls of South Wales Police said the teenager was in the water with friends when she got into difficulty.
"She was in the water with friends," he said."She was in the water with friends," he said.
"We believe she has got into some difficulty and we are looking for her at the moment."We believe she has got into some difficulty and we are looking for her at the moment.
"The coastguard has got three boats launched, South Wales Police helicopter and the search and rescue helicopter have been deployed."The coastguard has got three boats launched, South Wales Police helicopter and the search and rescue helicopter have been deployed.
"Numerous resources on foot have been deployed for the search.""Numerous resources on foot have been deployed for the search."
Insp Nicholls added: "She was on holiday in the area. Her parents are aware and with officers at the moment."Insp Nicholls added: "She was on holiday in the area. Her parents are aware and with officers at the moment."
Barry coastguard team, the Barry Dock all-weather lifeboat, two inshore lifeboats from Penarth, police, lifeguards and a coastguard helicopter from Portland are involved in a land and sea search.Barry coastguard team, the Barry Dock all-weather lifeboat, two inshore lifeboats from Penarth, police, lifeguards and a coastguard helicopter from Portland are involved in a land and sea search.
Coastguards believe the girl could have been in difficulty in the water for up to an hour before the situation was reported to them.Coastguards believe the girl could have been in difficulty in the water for up to an hour before the situation was reported to them.
Steve Jones, rescue centre manager for HM Coastguard Swansea said: "The incident was reported to us at 15.54 but we believe she could have been in trouble in the water up to an hour before then.Steve Jones, rescue centre manager for HM Coastguard Swansea said: "The incident was reported to us at 15.54 but we believe she could have been in trouble in the water up to an hour before then.
'Pocket shape''Pocket shape'
"We had a report that a fisherman saw her."We had a report that a fisherman saw her.
"We are dumbfounded that something wasn't said to us earlier and are investigating but our main priority is the search, which is massive.""We are dumbfounded that something wasn't said to us earlier and are investigating but our main priority is the search, which is massive."
Local councillor Steffan Wiliam, who lives on Barry Island, said he was "very concerned" to hear the news.Local councillor Steffan Wiliam, who lives on Barry Island, said he was "very concerned" to hear the news.
"Our stretch of coast has the world's second highest tidal range, second only to the Bay of Fundy," he said."Our stretch of coast has the world's second highest tidal range, second only to the Bay of Fundy," he said.
"The main issue is that Whitmore Bay is a pocket shape. You have to be careful but it is generally very safe, particularly now we have lifeguards."The main issue is that Whitmore Bay is a pocket shape. You have to be careful but it is generally very safe, particularly now we have lifeguards.
"If you swim between the two strips of flags you should be fine. You always have to be sensible on the beaches here.""If you swim between the two strips of flags you should be fine. You always have to be sensible on the beaches here."
The force said anyone with information should contact 101. Vale of Glamorgan MP Alun Cairns said: "The RNLI operation is exceptionally efficient at Barry.
"It has all of the latest equipment with significant investment there in recent years from the search equipment to the skills and experience of the operators."
The missing girl is described as being 5ft 7ins (1.7m) tall, average build with long black hair.
She was last seen wearing a multi-coloured dress.
South Wales Police said anyone with information should contact 101.