Desperate hunt for man thought to have fallen overboard from Stena Line ferry

30 October 2022, 17:04

A man is reported to have fallen overboard from a Stena Line ferry
A man is reported to have fallen overboard from a Stena Line ferry. Picture: Getty

By Kit Heren

Emergency service workers have launched a desperate hunt for a man who is thought to have fallen overboard from a ferry off Northern Ireland late on Saturday night.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Police and search and rescue teams have launched a search in the Louth area of Belfast, following unconfirmed reports that someone fell off a Stena Line ferry.

The incident is thought to have taken place on a 9.30pm ferry travelling from Cairnryan to Belfast.

The cargo ferry Stena Hibernia docked in Belfast.
The cargo ferry Stena Hibernia docked in Belfast. Picture: Getty

A police spokesperson said: "Police and other emergency services are currently involved in an ongoing search of the Belfast Lough area. There are no further details at this time and we are asking members of the public to avoid the area."

Lagan Search & Rescue team confirmed on Saturday night at 10.30pm that it was looking for a person in the area.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they were still looking for the person on Sunday afternoon.

Shapps quizzed over P&O Ferries with his own words put to him.

A spokesperson for the PSNI said: Police and other emergency services are involved in an ongoing search of Belfast Lough following reports that a man entered the water last night, Saturday, 29th October.'Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCGA) issued an update this afternoon on the ongoing rescue effort.

A spokesperson for the MCGA said: "Last night (29 October) HM Coastguard sent two RNLI lifeboats from Bangor, pilot launches from the harbour, the coastguard helicopter based at Prestwick and Bangor Coastguard Rescue Team in the search which also involves the ferry’s own fast rescue craft. 

Read more: Man 'hurls petrol bombs at Dover migrant processing centre before killing himself', witnesses claim

"They carried out an extensive search which was suspended in the early hours of the morning. 

Read more: Nation in mourning after at least 154 people dead and over 130 injured in Seoul Halloween crush

"The search has resumed this morning (30 October), following new information, relating to a report of a man overboard from a ferry on route to Belfast harbour. 

Read more: More than 60 dead after hundreds of people plunged into river in suspension bridge collapse in India's western Gujarat state

"Bangor, Larne and Port Muck coastguard rescue teams along with Donaghadee and Larne RNLI lifeboats and Lowland Search and Rescue teams are continuing the search which resumed just before 8am."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

FILE - Britain's Prince Harry leaves after attending an Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral in London, Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

Bombshell US court ruling orders Prince Harry's visa application files be made public by Tuesday

This image made from video by NASA shows astronauts waving after the SpaceX capsule docked with the International Space Station, Sunday, March 16, 2025. Top row from left: Nick Hague, Alexander Gorbunov, Suni Williams, Alexei Ovchinin.

Over the moon: SpaceX capsule docks with ISS as stranded NASA astronauts welcome replacement crew

F1 Grand Prix Of Australia

Lando Norris wins a wet Australian Grand Prix despite last minute charge from Max Verstappen

Disabled people to be given right to try working without risk of losing benefits in welfare reforms.

Disabled people to be given 'right to try' work without risk of losing benefits

Britain's Prince William, Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), and Kate, the Princess of Wales, Patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), pose for a photo with Leif Thobroe

Royal split: William and Kate cheer on rival sides at Wales take on England in Six Nations clash

Wes Streeting MP - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care - in Downing Street 12th March 2025 - the day before NHS England was abolished.

Scrapping NHS England is ‘beginning, not the end’ says Streeting, vowing to cut hundreds of quangos

A view of the pollution caused by garbage and various wastes following the thousands of Palestinians displaced under the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel have returned to the northern Gaza Strip in Jabalia, Gaza on March 13, 2025.

US rejects Hamas’s ‘entirely impractical’ demands to implement ceasefire as talks reach impasse

Antoine Dupont and Gregory Alldritt of France lift the Six Nations Trophy after their team's victory during the Guinness Six Nations 2025 match between France and Scotland at Stade de France

France win Six Nations after beating Scotland, shattering England title hopes

The US has launched large strikes in Yemen as Donald Trump promised "overwhelming lethal force" until the Houthis cease attacks on shipping.

US launches strikes on Yemen as Trump promises 'overwhelming lethal force' against Houthis

Rich people are getting married at a way higher rate than those with lower incomes as the ‘marriage gap’ between rich and poor hits a record 51%.

'Only rich people are getting married', new research suggests, as ‘marriage gap’ widens

"I ran, not to rip the joey away from its mother, but from fear she might attack me," Jones, who also uses the name Samantha Strable, posted on social media.

American influencer apologises after being threatened with deportation for snatching baby wombat from mum

The Forum Chinese Restaurant

Chinese restaurant chef uses CCTV to prove 'nonsense' reviews wrong

Soccer - International Friendly - Venezuela v Nigeria

England star John Fashanu arrested over 'five crimes' as he sues police for £100,000 compensation

NASA astronauts Nick Hague, right, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore. (NASA via AP)

'Stranded' NASA astronauts set to return from nine month space mission - but what health issues could they face?

Exclusive
Jordan Stephens, Rizzle Kicks star.

Rizzle Kicks star says children 'rely' on online communities for connection as he says 'boredom' to blame for rising crime