Man Missing From North Shields Ferry

8 March 2018, 18:27 | Updated: 8 March 2018, 18:29

A major search off the north east coast was under way after a passenger was reported missing from a ferry.

The Coastguard was alerted to a man in his 60s going missing on a DFDS ferry from Amsterdam to North Shields, North Tyneside, at 12.15pm.

The HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Humberside was sent to the area and was searching with lifeboats from RNLI stations including Filey, Scarborough, Whitby, Hartlepool, Tynemouth and Blyth.

All vessels in the area have been alerted and Northumbria Police has been informed.

A force spokesman said: "The passenger, a foreign national aged in his 60s, was travelling on board the ferry but did not depart the vessel upon arrival in North Shields and cannot be found on board.

"Enquiries are ongoing to trace the man, contact his next of kin and establish the circumstances around his disappearance."

Any passengers are asked to call 101.