Body found in search for man who fell from tanker in Margate

A man fell from a tanker off the coast of Margate

A body has been found by rescue crews searching for a man who fell from a fuel tanker off the coast of Kent.

A coastguard helicopter, a Royal Navy warship and RNLI lifeboats had joined the operation around Margate Harbour.

Authorities were alerted at 05:40 GMT to reports the man had gone overboard from a liquid petroleum gas tanker that was anchored off the harbour overnight.

A body was found in the water at about 13:00 after a seven-hour search in "very rough seas", the coastguard said.

Storm Dennis, which is hitting much of the UK with strong winds and heavy rain, had not yet hit Margate at the time the man was reported missing.

Two RNLI lifeboats joined the search

HMS Westminster had joined the search in response to the coastguard's call for assistance to all vessels in the aea.

Lifeboats were looking up to 8 miles (13km) out to sea, while coastguard crews searched the shoreline.

It is thought a crew member was reported missing from the tanker B Gas Margrethe, according to The Isle of Thanet News.

The ship's owners have been contacted for comment.

Storm Dennis has seen yellow weather warnings put in place for wind and rain across the country. Harsher conditions are expected across Kent and Sussex on Sunday, with an amber rain warning in place, according to the Met Office.