Overview
- HM Coastguard stood down offshore searches at about 5pm after extensive shoreline and sea sweeps at Budleigh Salterton.
- RNLI lifeboats from Exmouth, Teignmouth and Torbay, coastguard teams from Exmouth and Beer, helicopters and a fixed‑wing aircraft were deployed.
- Emergency services were alerted around 10.25am; several people were recovered, with one taken to Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and two treated at the scene.
- Devon and Cornwall Police say the missing swimmers are men in their 40s and 60s, with families informed and onshore enquiries continuing.
- With a Met Office yellow wind warning in place on Christmas Day, police urged people to avoid sea swims and asked witnesses to contact 101 quoting log 191 of 25/12/25.