Home / Disasters and Accidents / Christmas Swim Tragedy: Two Missing in Devon Sea
Christmas Swim Tragedy: Two Missing in Devon Sea
26 Dec
Summary
- Two men, aged 40s and 60s, went missing during a Christmas Day swim.
- Emergency services conducted extensive searches in difficult weather conditions.
- Police urged the public not to swim in the sea on Boxing Day.
Two men are missing following a Christmas Day swim at Budleigh Salterton, Devon. The annual event saw dozens participate before two individuals, aged in their 40s and 60s, were reported missing. Emergency services, including HM Coastguard, RNLI lifeboats, and police, launched a large-scale search operation amid difficult weather conditions and a yellow wind warning.
Searches continued throughout Christmas Day with multiple coastguard teams, RNLI crews from nearby towns, and air support involved. Despite extensive shoreline and offshore efforts, the coastguard suspended its search operations by 5pm on Christmas Day. The two men's families have been informed. One individual was taken to hospital, and others received medical attention as a precaution.
As of today, December 26, 2025, the two men remain missing, and Devon and Cornwall Police have confirmed the coastguard and RNLI searches have been called off. The incident, which has seen significant emergency service presence, has deeply impacted the local community. Police are continuing land-based inquiries and have urged the public not to swim in the sea on Boxing Day, even without official weather warnings.
