A major search and rescue operation was launched in West Cork today after a tourist was reported missing on Dursey Island.

An Irish Coast Guard helicopter, the Irish Navy Vessel LÉ Ciara and the CasteltownBere RNLI lifeboat were all launched after the alarm was raised just after 2pm today.

The missing person was located on the north side of the island after the rescue helicopter carried out a sweep of the island.

Paul Stevens from the Castletownbere Lifeboat said the alert was raised after two bird-spotters got separated on the island.

“One of them then couldn’t find the other and so the alarm was raised,” he said.

“Castletownbere lifeboat was tasked; the Shannon-based helicopter and Derrynane in-shore lifeboat – as well as the LÉ Ciara.

“The helicopter did a sweep of the island a recognised or spotted somebody. The Coastguard lowered a winchman and established that was the person and so the emergency services were stood down.”

The LÉ Ciara moored up at the new marina in Bantry this week

The north side of the island is connected to the mainland by cable-car.