Search intensifies as police issue update in search for missing teen who disappeared on Welsh beach
Search intensifies as police issue update in search for missing teen who disappeared on Welsh beach
A tragic development in the search for missing 16-year-old Athrun has been announced
Athrun had been missing since Saturday
Police say there has been a "potential sighting" of a body in the search for 16-year-old Athrun, the young boy from Gloucestershire who went missing on a family holiday to Llandudno last weekend.
After four days of extensive searches by emergency services in North Wales, police have confirmed that a body has been spotted from the air, just off the coast. No formal identification has taken place, but Athrun's family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
A spokesperson for North Wales Police said: "Further searches have been launched this evening following a potential sighting of a body in the sea near Llandudno shortly after 7pm.
"The sighting came during air searches for 16-year-old Athrun, who has been missing since Saturday May 10th.
"There will continue to be an increased emergency service presence in the area throughout the evening.
"Whilst work is ongoing to try and locate and recover the body, Athrun's family have been informed and are being supported by officers."
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Chief Inspector Trystan Bevan said: 'Whilst I am grateful for the ongoing support and concern by the community, I would remind members of the public that this is an extremely distressing situation for the family.
'Speculation on social media is not helpful to our investigation and is not respectful towards the family members during this incredibly difficult time.
'Multi-agency searches will continue into the night following this evening's sighting and I would ask for members of the public not to gather on the beach.'
The last known sighting of Athrun was on the coast of Llandudno on Saturday, May 10 at around 2pm. The teen, from Gloucestershire, was last seen wearing blue and white swimming shorts.
Following his disappearance, a large-scale search operation was launched by North Wales Police, who worked alongside the RNLI, NPAS, HM Coastguard and the Llandudno community.
This saw PCSOs walking the coastline speaking to any potential witnesses, to specialist divers searching the sea and helicopters searching from above.
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We will bring you further details as we get them.
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