Fishing gear found in Kerry search for Chinese tourist

Fishing gear has been found in the search for a missing Chinese tourist off the coast of Kerry.

Up to 40 people are involved in the search, including the crew of the Irish naval vessel the LÉ Orla.

Heavy swell was hampering search operations at the scene between Ballybunion and Tralee, south of the Shannon estuary.

The man was fishing with friends at Kerry Head on Friday afternoon when he was pulled into the water by a wave.

The man was rod and line fishing on rocks with a colleague at a point about 30ft above the sea surface when, it is understood, a large swell pulled him off the rocks at about 4pm.

His friend contacted Listowel gardaí, who alerted Valentia.

Over the past decade, a number of fishermen, including foreign nationals - particularly people from eastern Europe - have lost their lives after being swept into the sea off the Kerry coast.