Body recovered from North Sea during major search for 13-year-old boy

A body has been recovered from the sea off the coast of Hornsea, East Yorkshire, after a 13-year-old boy was reported missing on Tuesday, Humberside Police said.

Emergency services were called to South Promenade, in Hornsea, at 6pm on Tuesday following reports a 13-year-old boy had gotten into difficulty whilst swimming.

Formal identification has not yet taken place, but the force believes it is the teenager.

Humberside Police received reports of concern for the boy’s safety near the South Promenade area of Hornsea at around 6pm on Tuesday.

Chief Superintendent Phil Booker said: "This is an incredibly heartbreaking outcome, and our thoughts are with the boy's family and friends at this devastating time."

Police forces across the country have reiterated pleas to take care in open water.

Surging temperatures being felt across the UK have resulted in more incidents.

People who get into difficulty in open water are told not to panic or swim hard.

Instead, floating on your back to control your breathing is urged until either help arrives or self-rescuing is possible.

The UK experienced its latest heatwave earlier this week with temperatures rising above 30C in parts of the country.

Met Office monthly temperature records for the UK were broken in both May and June this year.

Monday marked the 20th day of 2026 when temperatures of 32C or higher were recorded. The previous record was 19 days, set in 1995.

Meanwhile, England and Wales saw their driest July on record, according to provisional Met Office figures.

This prompted drought declarations in significant swathes of both countries.

On Monday, a 14-year-old boy drowned in London after entering the Millwall Outer Dock near East Ferry Road.

The Met Police's Detective Superintendent Oliver Richter said: "As the warm weather continues, I would urge everyone to remember that open water can present serious dangers. Please only swim in designated areas and take the time to speak with children and young people about staying safe around water."

The RNLI issued a water safety warning in May after several water-related deaths.

They warned that “while the air temperature is warm, the seas are still cold and cold water shock remains a very real risk.”