Air-sea search for fishing boat

A search is being carried out for a fishing vessel after reports of a boat sinking off the coast of Alderney.

A major air and sea search was launched just before 1000GMT on Thursday following reports of a French vessel sinking near Casquets Reef.

Lifeboats from Alderney and France, along with the Channel Islands Air Search plane and other aircraft, are involved in the operation.

Five people are believed to have been on board the 50ft (15.2m) vessel.

French co-ordinating

Of the five missing crew, one member is reported to have been rescued by a survey vessel.

The operation is being spearheaded by French coastguards.

The Alderney lifeboat was launched at 0952GMT and reached its designated search area 15 miles north west of Alderney just before 1045GMT to cover at 25 square-mile (65sq/km) area.

It will remain searching in the area until it is stood down by the co-ordinating French coastguards.

Channel Islands Air Search said two lifeboats and three other aircraft were involved in the search.

An air search crewman said the aircraft had to return to Guernsey after a three-and-a-half hour search covering an 80 square-mile (207sq/km) area.

He said that debris and a life raft had been recovered from the area.