A MAJOR coastal search operation is continuing off the coast of west Cork for a missing fisherman who failed to return home last night.
The alarm was first raised around 8:30pm on the evening of Wednesday, October 9, after the fisherman, who is said to be in his 20s, did not make his way back to shore for 6pm.
Castletownbere RNLI initiated the search operation with assistance from the naval vessel William Butler Yeats, Baltimore RNLI lifeboat and Rescue 115 Coastguard helicopter from Shannon.
The search is mainly focused off the coast of Schull.
Gardaí have now confirmed that a ship wreckage has since been found near the coastline.
A garda spokesman said: "Gardaí and members of the Coast Guard and RNLI are continuing to carry out searches off the coast of Schull, Co Cork, this morning 10th October 2019.
"A man in his 20s failed to return home on 9th October 2019 and ship wreckage has been discovered near the coastline in the Schull area.
"No further information is available. Investigations are ongoing."
Gardaí, the Coast Guard, RNLI and the Navla Service, and several fishing vessels are continuing the search.
It's approaching 24 hours since the unnamed sailor was first reported missing.
No further details on his age or name have yet been provided.
