'No trace' of two missing crew after French fishing boat sinks in Channel, as search ends

The search for two missing crew members from a French-registered fishing boat which sank in the English Channel has ended.

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) spokesperson said on Monday morning that despite "extensive and intensive" searches since Saturday night, "no trace" of the missing crew members has been found.

The MCA added: "Based on all the information available and the known limits of human survivability in the water temperature, the decision has been taken this morning that the coastguard element of the search for the two missing fishermen has now been officially concluded.

"We would like to thank all those involved in the operation for their efforts. Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the missing people."

Three others were rescued after the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) was alerted that the vessel, with five people on board, was "in distress" off the coast of Plymouth, Devon, just after 6pm on Saturday.

The vessel, which French authorities said was called The Maranello, was believed to have been in trouble southwest of Eddystone Lighthouse, which is 15 miles south of Plymouth.

It had contacted another trawler, The Stradale, to say it had a problem with its fishing gear.

The MCA said a rescue operation was launched, with a coastguard helicopter, a fixed-wing aircraft, and RNLI lifeboats from Falmouth and Plymouth scrambled to the area.

Local vessels also helped with the British-led search-and-rescue operation, and the French Navy's Falcon 50 was deployed to assist.

In an earlier statement, the coastguard said: "Three people were rescued last evening from the French-registered fishing vessel which had made the call for help. They were taken to hospital for further care."

The statement added: "The vessel has sunk."

The three rescued people are now understood to be travelling back to France.

(c) Sky News 2026: 'No trace' of two missing crew after French fishing boat sinks in Channel, as search ends