Search is launched as British ex-serviceman, 70, goes missing off the south coast of Spain after getting separated from his diving school

  • Man was with a diving school in Cabo De Palos, Spain, and disappeared today 
  • The 70-year-old was last seen at a marine reserve called the Hormigas Islands
  • Helicopters and coastguard are carrying out a search for the unnamed man  

An elderly former member of the British Armed Forces has disappeared off the south coast of Spain.

The unnamed Briton is believed to be 70 and part of a diving school in Cabo de Palos, near Cartagena.

The group lost contact with him at around midday today after he was last seen near a marine reserve called the Hormigas Islands. 

A Spanish Coastguard spokesman confirmed two helicopters were taking turns to search for the diver along with a Red Cross boat and two other Coastguard vessels.

A helicopter search was launched after Mr Evans, 69, disappeared earlier this week

A helicopter search has been launched after the unnamed Briton, believed to be 70 and part of a diving school in Cabo de Palos, near Cartagena, disappeared at midday today 

One of the vessels is being used to drop a remote operated vehicle participating in the search.

The dive school he had gone out with, one of eight in the area, has not been named. 

A Spanish Coastguard spokesman said: 'We were alerted at eight minutes past midday today.

'The missing man is a British ex-member of the Armed Forces aged 70. A Civil Guard and Coastguard helicopter are taking turns to search for him.

'Two Coastguard vessels and a Red Cross boat are also involved. A remote operated vehicle has been dropped from one of our vessels and it is currently searching at 40 metres below the sea surface.

'A call has gone out to any Spanish Navy vessels in the area to help out as well if they can.' 

Members of the Spanish Coastguard are pictured surveying a stretch of sea off Cabo de Palos on the country's southern coast

Members of the Spanish Coastguard are pictured surveying a stretch of sea off Cabo de Palos on the country's southern coast 

A regional government spokesman added: 'All the state's resources have been activated in the search for this British national, a former member of the military aged 70 who disappeared while he was diving north of the Hormigas Islands in Cabo de Palos.' 

Cabo de Palos is next to the popular holiday destination of La Manga, around 20 miles from the town of Cartagena.

It is popular with scuba diving fans as its sea bed is one of the most treasured nature reserves in the Mediterranean.

Hormigas Islands are two and a half miles from the coast. 

The sea bed there is considered one of the best scuba diving sites in Spain and has been designated an Integral Marine Reserve for its beauty and excellent state of conservation.

As well as the remains of shipwrecks and sunken boats, it is also home to reefs and deep underwater corral.

Cabo de Palos (pictured) is next to the popular Spanish holiday destination of La Manga, around 20 miles from the town of Cartagena

Cabo de Palos (pictured) is next to the popular Spanish holiday destination of La Manga, around 20 miles from the town of Cartagena

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