An emergency search has been launched after three climbers fell into the sea near St Govan’s Head in Pembrokeshire. Coastguard helicopters and lifeboat crews were scrambled to the towering cliffs after the alarm was raised at around 4pm.

Rescue crews from Fishguard, St Govan’s and Tenby were sent to the scene alongside an HM Coastguard helicopter and an Irish Coastguard aircraft. Two air ambulances and an RNLI lifeboat from Angle were also dispatched as the major response gathered pace. It remains unclear where the three casualties were when the incident occurred, including whether they were on the cliff face, at the top of the cliffs or elsewhere nearby. Dyfed-Powys Police officers were also deployed to the scene. Witnesses reported seeing several emergency vehicles and helicopters arriving, with rescue teams working along the coastline.

A spokesperson for the Coastguard said: “HM Coastguard are responding to an incident involving three climbers at St Govans Head in Pembrokeshire today, 12 February.

“First alerted at around 4pm, Coastguard rescue teams from Fishguard, St. Govans and Tenby have been sent alongside an HM Coastguard helicopter, an Irish Coastguard helicopter, Wales Air Ambulance and an RNLI lifeboat from Angle.

An RNLI spokesperson said an all-weather lifeboat was launched this afternoon from Angle Lifeboat Station on the Angle Peninsula in Pembrokeshire as part of the multi-agency response.

St Govan’s Head is known for its high limestone sea cliffs and striking coastal scenery along the west Wales coastline. The cliffs rise to around 40 metres (131ft) above the sea.

They lie within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, an area celebrated for its natural beauty and widely used by walkers and climbers. The headland is one of the UK’s best-known sea-cliff climbing locations, with around 300 recognised climbing routes.