Two British women die after late-night Costa Brava swim

Updated

Two British women have died after going missing during a late-night swim in the Mediterranean off the coast of Spain, the Foreign Office said.

Their bodies were discovered two miles from Lloret de Mar on the Costa Brava, where they disappeared at 4.15am today, Spanish search and rescue service Salvamento Maritimo said.

In a tweet it said the bodies of the women, believed to be aged 33 and 36, were found shortly after noon local time and had been taken to the neighbouring town of Blanes, 40 miles north of Barcelona.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We can confirm the death of two British nationals who had been reported missing in Lloret de Mar on October 1. We are providing support to the families and those who were travelling with the individuals at this difficult time."

Salvamento Maritimo said the bodies were discovered by a rescue helicopter.

Emergency services were called out at 4.15am after the pair failed to return from their swim with a larger group of women at the beach in the popular tourist resort.

Before the women were found, the search and rescue team said: "The weather and the conditions of the sea are very bad. We know the women are in danger in the sea. We don't know why they went for a swim."

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