Major Sea Search Underway After Man Falls from Tanker off Kent Coast
A massive search operation kicked off Saturday morning after a man reportedly fell from a petrol chemical tanker into the sea off Kent.
Coastguard, Lifeboats, and Navy Join Hunt
Just before 6am, crew aboard the liquid petroleum gas tanker, anchored overnight near Margate, alerted the Coastguard that a man had gone overboard. The search zone extends up to eight miles out to sea, with two RNLI lifeboats and a Coastguard helicopter combing the area. Royal Navy assets have also joined the effort. Meanwhile, teams are scouring the shoreline for any sign of the missing man.
Storm Dennis Threatens Rescue Efforts
Storm Dennis is battering the South East with rain and gales, forcing authorities to contend with yellow weather warnings for wind and heavy showers. The adverse conditions are complicating the already frantic search.
Tragic Update as Body Found
A Kent Police spokesman confirmed: “At around 9.10am on Saturday 15 February, we received a report from Dover Coastguard expressing concern for a man missing from a ship off Margate. Following a search, Coastguard notified us that a body has been recovered from the sea.”
Enquiries continue to identify the man and inform his next of kin.
