Sea search for teenager continues

The Spanish Red Cross has been searching for the missing teenager

The search for a 16-year-old boy from Kent missing after being swept out to sea from a beach in Spain has entered its third day.

There has been no sign of the 16-year-old, from South Darenth near Dartford, since he went missing in Salou, near Barcelona, on Tuesday.

Spanish Civil Guard and Red Cross boat and helicopter crews have searched for him without luck.

He was in a boat swept out to sea by winds, with a friend who was rescued.

Powerful currents

The pair got on board a small abandoned dinghy which had been washed up on to the beach only for it to be swept out into the Mediterranean.

The boat overturned and a Red Cross launch sent out to look for them rescued his 14-year-old friend but found no sign of the older boy.

The air and sea search which began on Tuesday evening was stopped after dark on Wednesday but resumed on Thursday.

Police said the teenager was believed to have been born in Belfast and had only recently moved to Kent.

His name has not been confirmed by the Foreign Office.

The resort of Salou is about 10 miles south of the mouth of the River Ebro, Spain's longest river which causes powerful currents in the sea.

Reports from Spain have suggested the search is likely to be wound up on Friday if the boy is not found by then.