A major search for a missing Royal Navy crew member reported missing around Ireland's north-west coast has now been called off as they have "not been found".
The operation lasted for two days after a Royal Fleet Auxiliary crew member disappeared from a British naval support ship on Friday evening.
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “After an extensive search, it is with deep sadness that we confirm the missing crew member of RFA Tidesurge has not been found.
“My thoughts are with their family during this tragic time, as well as their fellow crew members.
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“I am hugely grateful to the Irish authorities, the RNLI, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy who have responded rapidly to this incident and have worked tirelessly on the search," Mr Healy said.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “After an extensive search for a missing crew member of a Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ship’s company, the individual has not been found, and the search has now ended.
“The individual’s family have been informed, and an investigation is now underway into the incident.
“No other individuals have been harmed or reported missing," they added.
'The individual’s family have been informed, and an investigation is now underway into the incident,' the Ministry of Defence said
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Both Irish and British maritime authorities launched the multi-agency operation early on Saturday morning after receiving a distress call.
Search efforts stretched across the vast Atlantic waters between County Donegal and County Mayo.
The now lost individual was last observed aboard the vessel at approximately 10.30pm on Friday, according to Ireland's Department of Transport.
Rescue coordinators at Malin Head received an emergency message from the British naval support ship shortly before 9am on Saturday morning.
The vessel had been positioned in waters north of Tory Island when authorities were alerted to the crew member's disappearance.
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The disappearance was reported off the coast of Ireland's Tory Island
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An immediate response from Irish maritime authorities was triggered upon receiving the distress call, where they began coordinating efforts across the region.
Aerial search operations involved the Irish Coast Guard's fixed-wing aircraft Rescue 120F operating from Shannon Airport, alongside helicopter Rescue 118 stationed at Sligo. The Irish Air Corps also deployed a CASA 284 aircraft to assist with the search effort.
Maritime search teams included three RNLI all-weather lifeboats launched from Ballyglass, Arranmore Island and Lough Swilly stations.
The British naval support vessel from which the crew member was lost was also actively engaged in search operations alongside these rescue craft. Additional civilian vessels in the vicinity also joined the search effort.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary serves as the naval auxiliary force supporting Royal Navy operations worldwide.
Irish Coast Guards confirmed that their "Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Malin Head received a distress alert from a UK Naval support vessel just before 9am this morning".
"The vessel was located north of Tory Island when the alert was raised," the statement read.
Tory is the most remote inhabited island off the coast of Ireland.
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