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A body has been found in the search for a diver who was reported missing in Plymouth Sound yesterday evening.

A 57-year-old man was in the water with a dive group when the dive party he was with dialled 999 at around 7.30pm on Monday, reporting that a diver had got into difficulty in the water at Plymouth Hoe.

Coastguard, RNLI, military and specialist police divers carried out extensive air and sea searches into the night and throughout this morning.

This afternoon, Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the tragic news that a body had been located in the search.

Formal identification is yet to take place, but the missing diver's family has been informed.

(Image: Penny Cross / Plymouth Live)

A police spokesperson said: "Following ongoing searches, a body was located in the water off Plymouth Hoe and recovered to shore earlier this morning.

"Formal identification is yet to take place, however, the family of a 57-year-old diver who was reported missing last night have been informed of this development.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 813 1/7/19."

Part of The Hoe was sealed off late on Monday night as police, coastguard, the RNLI and specialist divers searched for the missing diver in the water.

(Image: Penny Cross)

A spokesperson for Plymouth Coastguard said: "Plymouth coastguard rescue team have been on scene at this incident for around 14 of the past 17 hours since 1931 yesterday evening when a diver was reported missing by his diving group.

"At the outset of this incident Plymouth Coastguard deployed multiple water rescue and search teams to the area working closely alongside Coastguard helicopter Rescue924, Plymouth Lifeboat Station and Devon & Cornwall Police marine diving unit to try and locate the missing person.

"Despite extensive efforts of emergency services and also friends of the diver who re-entered the water in a bid to locate them the search was unsuccessful and resources were stood down around 3.30am.

"This morning at 0648 Coastguard teams again along side Police dive teams and Plymouth RNLI resumed searching. Teams were stood down around 1230. Further information regarding this should be sought from Police updates which are available in local press.

"The teams thoughts are with all those affected by this incident.

"The team would like to thank public for their co-operation and kind words of support during this extended incident, commend the hard work of all partner agencies and also thank local businesses for their support during this operation keeping rescue teams refreshed and capable through the whole tasking."

Police have asked that anyone who witnessed the incident and has not made themselves known to police are urged to call 101 or email 101@dc.police.uk, quoting incident reference number 813 of July 1, 2019.