This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-23220562

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Search for teenager last seen in sea off Whitmore Bay, Barry Island Search for teenager last seen in sea off Whitmore Bay, Barry Island
(35 minutes later)
A major air and sea search is due to resume for a missing 14-year-old girl, last seen in difficulty in the sea at a south Wales resort.A major air and sea search is due to resume for a missing 14-year-old girl, last seen in difficulty in the sea at a south Wales resort.
The girl, on holiday with her family, was reported missing in Barry Island just after 15:45 BST on Sunday.The girl, on holiday with her family, was reported missing in Barry Island just after 15:45 BST on Sunday.
Coastguards say there has been an "extensive search" off Whitmore Bay.Coastguards say there has been an "extensive search" off Whitmore Bay.
Swansea Coastguard says a "low water search" will be carried out between 09:00 and 10:00 BST in rock pools that form when the tide is out.Swansea Coastguard says a "low water search" will be carried out between 09:00 and 10:00 BST in rock pools that form when the tide is out.
Meanwhile, South Wales Police say they are carrying out house-to-house inquiries in the Barry area. Meanwhile South Wales Police say they are carrying out house-to-house inquiries in the Barry area.
Three lifeboats and a coastguard helicopter joined lifeguards and police at the resort on Sunday.
Inspector Bob Nicholls of South Wales Police said the teenager was in the water with friends when she got into difficulty.
"She was in the water with friends," he said.
"We believe she has got into some difficulty and we are looking for her at the moment.
"The coastguard has got three boats launched, South Wales Police helicopter and the search and rescue helicopter have been deployed.
"Numerous resources on foot have been deployed for the search."
Insp Nicholls added: "She was on holiday in the area. Her parents are aware and with officers at the moment."
Barry coastguard team, the Barry Dock all-weather lifeboat, two inshore lifeboats from Penarth, police, lifeguards and a coastguard helicopter from Portland were involved in the land and sea search.Barry coastguard team, the Barry Dock all-weather lifeboat, two inshore lifeboats from Penarth, police, lifeguards and a coastguard helicopter from Portland were involved in the land and sea search.
Coastguards believe the girl could have been in difficulty in the water for up to an hour before the situation was reported to them.Coastguards believe the girl could have been in difficulty in the water for up to an hour before the situation was reported to them.
Steve Jones, rescue centre manager for HM Coastguard Swansea said: "The incident was reported to us at 15.54 but we believe she could have been in trouble in the water up to an hour before then. David Hughes, watch manager at Swansea Coastguard, told BBC Radio Wales on Monday that he was surprised that although Whitmore Bay was likely to have been "jam-packed" with people "we only had one call reporting this female in difficulties which I find very very hard to believe".
'Pocket shape' "On a normal day, busy day, we would have expected to be inundated with 999 calls but only the one call put through unfortunately."
"We had a report that a fisherman saw her. Mr Hughes also said the nature of the rescue effort had also changed.
"We are dumbfounded that something wasn't said to us earlier and are investigating but our main priority is the search, which is massive." "The conditions yesterday would have been favourable. The sea temperature had picked up dramatically over the last month or so because of the weather, change in temperature but obviously we have to look at survivability."
Local councillor Steffan Wiliam, who lives on Barry Island, said he was "very concerned" to hear the news.Local councillor Steffan Wiliam, who lives on Barry Island, said he was "very concerned" to hear the news.
"Our stretch of coast has the world's second highest tidal range, second only to the Bay of Fundy," he said. "Our stretch of coast has the world's second highest tidal range, second only to the Bay of Fundy [in Canada]," he said.
"The main issue is that Whitmore Bay is a pocket shape. You have to be careful but it is generally very safe, particularly now we have lifeguards."The main issue is that Whitmore Bay is a pocket shape. You have to be careful but it is generally very safe, particularly now we have lifeguards.
"If you swim between the two strips of flags you should be fine. You always have to be sensible on the beaches here.""If you swim between the two strips of flags you should be fine. You always have to be sensible on the beaches here."
Vale of Glamorgan MP Alun Cairns said: "The RNLI operation is exceptionally efficient at Barry.Vale of Glamorgan MP Alun Cairns said: "The RNLI operation is exceptionally efficient at Barry.
"It has all of the latest equipment with significant investment there in recent years from the search equipment to the skills and experience of the operators.""It has all of the latest equipment with significant investment there in recent years from the search equipment to the skills and experience of the operators."
The missing girl is described as being 5ft 7ins (1.7m) tall, average build with long black hair. The missing girl is described as 5ft 7ins (1.7m) tall, of average build with long black hair.
She was last seen wearing a multi-coloured dress.She was last seen wearing a multi-coloured dress.
South Wales Police said anyone with information should contact 101.South Wales Police said anyone with information should contact 101.