Devastating update on search for missing fishermen after boat sinks in English Channel as search ends & ‘no trace’ found

THE search for two missing fishermen has been called off after a fishing boat sank in the English Channel. Coastguards said this morning there was “no trace” of the pair despite an “extensive and intensive” search lasting since Saturday night. The French fishing boat run into trouble off the coast of Devon on Saturday night Credit: Seamus McCoy The search for two missing people in the English Channel has been called off Credit: Seamus McCoy The devastating decision was made after rescuers assessed the known limits of human survival in the water temperature. The French-registered fishing boat sank off the coast of Plymouth, Devon, with five people believed to have been on board. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Three crew members were rescued from the stricken vessel and taken to hospital for further care. The remaining two fishermen have not been found. The vessel which rescued three crew members from the sunken French fishing vessel Maranello arrives in Plymouth following a major search and rescue operation Credit: Seamus McCoy The incident sparked a huge search operation which continued through the night Credit: Seamus McCoy The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said its search operation had now officially concluded. An MCA spokesperson said: “Based on all the information available and the known limits of human survivability in the water temperature, the decision has been taken this morning that the coastguard element of the search for the two missing fishermen has now been officially concluded. “We would like to thank all those involved in the operation for their efforts. “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the missing people.” Most read in The Sun The alarm was raised shortly after 6pm on Saturday when the vessel was reported to be “in distress”. The boat was believed to have been southwest of Eddystone Lighthouse, around 15 miles south of Plymouth. French authorities said the vessel was called The Maranello. It had reportedly contacted another fishing trawler, The Stradale, after experiencing problems with its fishing gear. A major rescue operation was immediately launched following the distress call. A coastguard helicopter, fixed-wing aircraft and RNLI lifeboats from Falmouth and Plymouth were scrambled to the area. Local vessels also joined the British-led search-and-rescue operation in a desperate bid to find the crew. The French Navy also sent a Falcon 50 aircraft to assist with the search. Three people were eventually pulled from the water and taken to hospital for further care. The MCA confirmed the vessel itself had sunk. The three survivors are now understood to be travelling back to France. But after hours of searching by British and French rescue teams, there has been no sign of the two missing fishermen. The coastguard search has now ended, leaving the families and friends of the missing men facing the devastating news. More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us on TikTok @TheSun.