LOST AT SEA — Two missing after fishing boat sinks in the Channel as desperate search is launched…

Two missing after fishing boat sinks in Channel

HM Coastguard coordinates maritime search and rescue operations in the UK. File pic: Andrew Peacock/iStock

Two people are missing and three others have been rescued after a French-registered fishing boat sank in the English Channel.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) was alerted by a report about the vessel, with five people on board, being “in distress” off the coast of Plymouth, Devon, just after 6pm on Saturday.

It 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.

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

Three people were taken to hospital after being rescued from the boat, while the search continues for two others.

In a statement on Sunday morning, the coastguard said: “HM Coastguard maintained the intensive search during the night and it is continuing today with multiple assets sent to help with the search.

“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 search is continuing for two further people who remain unaccounted for.

“The vessel has sunk.”