Updated 12.30pm with search for missing man

Hopes are fading for a young Hungarian man who was reported lost at sea in Gozo last night.

The 17-year-old tourist was reported missing around 8.15pm after he went for a swim in Marsalforn.

He was swimming in the area known as Għar Qawqla when he was reported missing by his 15-year-old brother. The teenager is on holiday in Malta with his family.  

An AFM search began last night and continued throughout today. Photo: Ted Attard

The report sparked an immediate search operation in the area, which is still ongoing, after it was suspended for some time during the night.

An AFM spokesman told Times of Malta the search is being carried through the army's air assets because the rough seas were precluding patrol boats from searching the area.

"The sea was already rough when we received the report."

The Malta Red Cross identified four beaches, especially, which are expected to be impacted by large waves and heavy currents

The incident comes as Malta is whipped by North Western winds reach Force 6 and at times Force 7. The winds are expected to produce sea waves which are expected to reach up to four metres in height and will mostly affect the coast exposed to the North Western wind of the Maltese islands, according to forecasters.

The Malta Red Cross identified four beaches, especially, which are expected to be impacted by large waves and heavy currents.

Ġnejna Bay was similarly turbulent this afternoon. Photo: Godwin Bugeja

The beaches are the popular Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa, as well as Fond Għadir in Sliema and Perched Beach in Bugibba.

The beaches will be marked with a double red flag, which means it is not safe for swimming and the lifeguards are not obliged to enter the water, the Malta Red Cross said.

"Don't risk your lives and ours. Help us by sharing this post to reach as many people as possible," it said on its Facebook wall.