A female body has been found in the hunt for missing teenager Nora Quoirin in the Malaysian jungle.

State Police chief Mohammed Yusop said: "I can confirm a body has been found in the Betembum mountains. It is not in an accessible place".

The Lucie Blackman Trust has said the body is "likely" to be that of Nora and a Malaysian police officer has confirmed the body is female.

Forensic teams were seen leaving from Pantai police station to race to the scene, which has been sealed off. Nora's parents have been brought to the area.

The discovery was made on the tenth day of an intensive search of the jungle surrounding the eco-resort where she was on holiday.

The Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said the Irish embassy is working with Malaysian authorities on the discovery of a body on Tuesday.

Irish + French embassies in Malaysia working together to provide every assistance to the Quoirin family. Irish embassy is in touch with Malaysian authorities on todayâs discovery of a body. At this harrowing time all of our thoughts + prayers are with the family. — Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) August 13, 2019

Expand Close Nora Quoirin’s mother Meabh reads a statement at a news conference in Malaysia AP / Facebook

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Whatsapp Nora Quoirin’s mother Meabh reads a statement at a news conference in Malaysia

It comes after the parents of the missing teen offered a £10,000 reward for information that could lead to her safe return. The money had been donated by an anonymous Belfast-based business.

Nora, who has special needs, was discovered by her family missing from a Malaysian jungle nature reserve 39 miles from Kuala Lumpur in the early hours of August 4. It later emerged she was barefoot at the time of her disappearance.

Her mother, Meabh, who is from Belfast, has made a series of emotional pleas for help in finding her daughter.

Media release - #missing Nora Quoirin. Our thoughts and support are with her family. PLEASE RESPECT THEIR PRIVACY AND PLEASE DO NOT APPROACH FAMILY AND FRIENDS pic.twitter.com/YJIZDJmt9S — LB Trust (@LBT_Global) August 13, 2019

Some 300 Malaysian searchers aided by drones and sniffer dogs are scouring the forest area near the resort, playing recordings of Nora's mother calling out to her.

Expand Close Meabh Quoirin helped in the search for her daughter (The Royal Malaysia Police/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Meabh Quoirin helped in the search for her daughter (The Royal Malaysia Police/AP)

Two shaman, or medicine men, joined the search on Monday. Sitting cross-legged on the forest floor, they covered their eyes, cried out and prayed.

Belfast Telegraph