Council leaders offers condolences to family of Dewsbury brothers who drowned at sea

The bodies of Muhammad Azhar Shabbir, 18, and Ali Athar Shabbir, 16, from Dewsbury, were found at sea off the coast of St Annes on Sunday afternoon.

The tragic discovery was made by HM Coastguard and RNLI volunteers just after 3.15pm, around a mile away from where the boys had last been seen on Saturday evening.

A 15-year-old boy, believed to be their brother, managed to swim to shore before being taken to hospital for treatment.

Counciilr Karen Buckley, leader of Fylde Council said: On behalf of everyone at Fylde Council, I would like to pass on our sincere condolences to the Shabbir family on the sudden and heartbreaking loss of their sons.

A lovely day at the seaside in St Annes turned into a terrible tragedy and I cannot imagine the pain they are going through.

"Thank you to the Police, RNLI, Coastguard and National Police Air Service for their painstaking efforts in the search for the two young men. We are all deeply saddened for their loss."

The flag at Fylde Council has been flying the union flay at half mast.

A Lancashire police spokesman said: " "Our thoughts and condolences remain with them and their friends at this incredibly distressing time."

People across the Fylde coast have expressed their shock at the tragedy, whilst paying tribute to the brothers and the efforts of the rescue workers who had searched tirelessly for them.

Det Sgt John McNamara of Lancashire Police said: "Awful news. Am thinking of those two lads and their families. So sad.

"A mention too for the rescue teams and Police who I know will have worked tirelessly to find them.

"They’ll equally be gutted tonight. Such a tragic incident. My thoughts with all."

Tom Powell, acting station manager for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, tweeted: "A tragic day in Lytham & St Anne’s yesterday with two separate missing persons incidents.